Metaphysics of the Mind
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims at familiarizing students with the main results in the metaphysics of mind, with an emphasis on the most recent developments. Among the topics covered: the relation between mental states and brain states, the problem of intentionality, the unity of consciousness, and various issues surrounding the nature of specific mental states and particular aspects of the mind.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
- Knowledge and understanding of the main problems concerning the nature of the mind.
- Knowledge and understanding of the main theories in the metaphysics of mind.
- Knowledge and understanding of background metaphysical theories and conceptual framework.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
- Ability to critically evaluate the theoretical options in question.
- Ability to apply the tools introduced to other problems, both in philosophy and outside of philosophy.
- Knowledge and understanding of the main problems concerning the nature of the mind.
- Knowledge and understanding of the main theories in the metaphysics of mind.
- Knowledge and understanding of background metaphysical theories and conceptual framework.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
- Ability to critically evaluate the theoretical options in question.
- Ability to apply the tools introduced to other problems, both in philosophy and outside of philosophy.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is dedicated to the discussion of a series of particularly central issues in the metaphysics of mind. In the first part (40 hours, 6 ECTS), we will focus on the mind-body problem and the issue of intentionality, with particular attention to the relationship between phenomenal consciousness and the physical world, as well as to Kripkenstein's paradox. In the second part (20 hours, 3 additional ECTS), we will further deepen our discussion of the mind-body problem, and then move on to address the problem of the unity of consciousness and its relation to the issue of personal identity.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific preliminary notion required.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Teaching Resources
First part of the course (40 hours), all students
1a. David Chalmers, La mente cosciente, chapters 1-4.
1b. Saul Kripke, Wittgenstein su regole e linguaggio privato, chapters 1-3.
1c. The lectures of the first part of the course.
First part of the course, only non-attending students
2a. René Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche.
2b. J.J.C. Smart, ʻSensazioni e processi cerebraliʼ.
2c. David Lewis, ʻMad Pain and Martian Painʼ.
2d. Saul Kripke, Nome e necessità.
2e. Keith Frankish, ʻIllusionism as a Theory of Consciousnessʼ.
2f. Andrea Guardo, Seguire una regola.
Second part of the course (20 hours), all students
3a. Derek Parfit, Ragioni e persone, chapters 10-13.
3b. The lectures of the second part of the course.
Second part of the course, only non attending students
4a. Philip Goff, L'errore di Galileo.
4b. Eric Olson, The Human Animal, minus chapter 7.
To be considered attending students, one must have attended at least 80% of the classes, that is: 16 classes for the 6-credit exam and 24 classes for the 9-credit exam.
1a. David Chalmers, La mente cosciente, chapters 1-4.
1b. Saul Kripke, Wittgenstein su regole e linguaggio privato, chapters 1-3.
1c. The lectures of the first part of the course.
First part of the course, only non-attending students
2a. René Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche.
2b. J.J.C. Smart, ʻSensazioni e processi cerebraliʼ.
2c. David Lewis, ʻMad Pain and Martian Painʼ.
2d. Saul Kripke, Nome e necessità.
2e. Keith Frankish, ʻIllusionism as a Theory of Consciousnessʼ.
2f. Andrea Guardo, Seguire una regola.
Second part of the course (20 hours), all students
3a. Derek Parfit, Ragioni e persone, chapters 10-13.
3b. The lectures of the second part of the course.
Second part of the course, only non attending students
4a. Philip Goff, L'errore di Galileo.
4b. Eric Olson, The Human Animal, minus chapter 7.
To be considered attending students, one must have attended at least 80% of the classes, that is: 16 classes for the 6-credit exam and 24 classes for the 9-credit exam.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral and, for attending students, consists of three types of questions. The first type, which opens the exam, aims to gather evidence of the student's understanding of fundamental concepts, thereby assessing whether it is appropriate to proceed with the rest of the exam. The second type of questions is more advanced and pertains to topics explained in class. Finally, the third type focuses on verifying the student's knowledge of the required readings, which students must bring with them to the exam.
For non-attending students, the oral exam consists of two types of questions—all based on the required readings (again, to be brought to the exam). The first type focuses, as with attending students, on the fundamental concepts. The second type covers more advanced issues, as discussed in the readings.
Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) and/or disabilities who wish to request modifications to the exam format must agree on the details with the instructor and the relevant office as soon as possible, strictly following the procedures described at the following links (see the section "Support for teaching and contact with instructors - compensatory measures"):
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-dsa
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-disabilita
An example of an acceptable concept map for the exam is available on the instructor's website.
Students who, for any reason, would like to take the exam earlier or later than scheduled must find someone to swap time slots with. The exam schedule will be finalized as follows: the day after registration closes, I will send you an email asking you to confirm your attendance (if you've swapped your time slot with someone, please notify me); the following morning, I will prepare and send out the final exam schedule. Students who do not confirm their attendance by replying to my email must show up in person at the exam session to be placed at the end of the list. This procedure is necessary due to the high number of students who fail to show up without deregistering.
The exam may be taken starting from the first session after the end of the course, and students have a total of seven exam sessions available.
For non-attending students, the oral exam consists of two types of questions—all based on the required readings (again, to be brought to the exam). The first type focuses, as with attending students, on the fundamental concepts. The second type covers more advanced issues, as discussed in the readings.
Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) and/or disabilities who wish to request modifications to the exam format must agree on the details with the instructor and the relevant office as soon as possible, strictly following the procedures described at the following links (see the section "Support for teaching and contact with instructors - compensatory measures"):
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-dsa
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-disabilita
An example of an acceptable concept map for the exam is available on the instructor's website.
Students who, for any reason, would like to take the exam earlier or later than scheduled must find someone to swap time slots with. The exam schedule will be finalized as follows: the day after registration closes, I will send you an email asking you to confirm your attendance (if you've swapped your time slot with someone, please notify me); the following morning, I will prepare and send out the final exam schedule. Students who do not confirm their attendance by replying to my email must show up in person at the exam session to be placed at the end of the list. This procedure is necessary due to the high number of students who fail to show up without deregistering.
The exam may be taken starting from the first session after the end of the course, and students have a total of seven exam sessions available.
Parte A e B
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)