Metaphysics of Mind
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course will provide students with knowledge and skills in the area of the metaphysics of mind, with an emphasis on recent developments. Topics that may be covered include: the relationship between mental states and brain states, the problem of intentionality, the unity of consciousness, and various issues concerning the nature of particular mental states and specific aspects of the mind.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire:
- the ability to critically analyze arguments
- the ability to discuss and compare different positions in the field of the metaphysics of mind
- the ability to reflect on complex and articulated philosophical arguments
- the ability to take a personal stance in debates within the metaphysics of mind, supporting it with arguments
- the ability to effectively communicate the results of their studies, also using multimedia techniques to represent information, with possible educational applications
- relational, communicative, and organizational skills, and the ability to apply them even in complex contexts and in the management of group work
- the ability to convey acquired skills also in non-specialist contexts
- the ability to reflect on their own abilities and on the evaluations received
- the ability to conduct independent research on the philosophical sources of recent debates and on schools of thought in the field of the metaphysics of mind
- the ability to independently explore philosophical positions and theoretical theses.
- the ability to critically analyze arguments
- the ability to discuss and compare different positions in the field of the metaphysics of mind
- the ability to reflect on complex and articulated philosophical arguments
- the ability to take a personal stance in debates within the metaphysics of mind, supporting it with arguments
- the ability to effectively communicate the results of their studies, also using multimedia techniques to represent information, with possible educational applications
- relational, communicative, and organizational skills, and the ability to apply them even in complex contexts and in the management of group work
- the ability to convey acquired skills also in non-specialist contexts
- the ability to reflect on their own abilities and on the evaluations received
- the ability to conduct independent research on the philosophical sources of recent debates and on schools of thought in the field of the metaphysics of mind
- the ability to independently explore philosophical positions and theoretical theses.
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 devoted to the discussion of a number of particularly central problems in the metaphysics of mind. In the first part (40 hours, 6 ECTS credits), 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, an additional 3 ECTS credits), we will further deepen our discussion of the mind-body problem before turning to the problem of the unity of consciousness and its relation to personal identity.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prior knowledge is required.
Teaching methods
Lectures with a dialogical approach.
Teaching Resources
First Part of the Course (40 hours, 6 ECTS credits), for attending and non-attending students
1a. Andrea Guardo and Anna Ichino (eds.), Filosofia della mente - Dai fondamenti alle applicazioni (available in bookstores), Chapters 1-7 and 13-20.
1b. Saul Kripke, Wittgenstein on Rules and Private Language (available in bookstores), Chapters 1-3.
First Part of the Course, non-attending students only
David Chalmers, The Conscious Mind (available on myAriel), Chapter 1; Chapter 2 (excluding the section entitled "A Problem with Logical Supervenience," the entirety of §4, and from the fourth paragraph on p. 75—that is, from the beginning of the section entitled "Epistemology"—to the end of the chapter); Chapter 3 (only §1); and Chapter 4 (only the section entitled "What Kind of Dualism?", the first two paragraphs of §4, the first three paragraphs of the section entitled "Interactionist Dualism," the section entitled "The Problems of Epiphenomenalism," and §§5-6).
Second Part of the Course (20 hours, additional 3 ECTS credits), for attending and non-attending students
Andrea Guardo and Anna Ichino (eds.), Filosofia della mente - Dai fondamenti alle applicazioni, Chapters 8-12 and 21-22.
Second Part of the Course, non-attending students only
Philip Goff, Galileo's Error (available in bookstores).
1a. Andrea Guardo and Anna Ichino (eds.), Filosofia della mente - Dai fondamenti alle applicazioni (available in bookstores), Chapters 1-7 and 13-20.
1b. Saul Kripke, Wittgenstein on Rules and Private Language (available in bookstores), Chapters 1-3.
First Part of the Course, non-attending students only
David Chalmers, The Conscious Mind (available on myAriel), Chapter 1; Chapter 2 (excluding the section entitled "A Problem with Logical Supervenience," the entirety of §4, and from the fourth paragraph on p. 75—that is, from the beginning of the section entitled "Epistemology"—to the end of the chapter); Chapter 3 (only §1); and Chapter 4 (only the section entitled "What Kind of Dualism?", the first two paragraphs of §4, the first three paragraphs of the section entitled "Interactionist Dualism," the section entitled "The Problems of Epiphenomenalism," and §§5-6).
Second Part of the Course (20 hours, additional 3 ECTS credits), for attending and non-attending students
Andrea Guardo and Anna Ichino (eds.), Filosofia della mente - Dai fondamenti alle applicazioni, Chapters 8-12 and 21-22.
Second Part of the Course, non-attending students only
Philip Goff, Galileo's Error (available in bookstores).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination is oral, lasts approximately thirty minutes, and for attending students consists of three types of questions. The first type, with which the examination begins, is aimed at assessing understanding of the fundamental concepts. The second type consists of more advanced questions concerning the material covered in class. Finally, the third type is designed to assess students' study of the required readings; students are therefore expected to bring the assigned texts with them to the examination (shared copies are permitted, of course, but they must be in print form).
For non-attending students, the oral examination instead consists of two types of questions, all based on the assigned readings (which, again, must be brought to the examination). The first type focuses, as in the examination for attending students, on fundamental concepts. The second focuses on more advanced issues discussed in the assigned texts.
The examination consists of five questions, each graded on a scale from 0 to 6 points. Scores of 6, 5, 4, 1, and 0 are characterized as follows (intermediate scores are, of course, possible):
6 points: detailed and error-free answer; correct use of terminology.
5 points: substantially correct answer, though not fully detailed and/or containing some inaccuracies; possible imprecision in the use of terminology.
4 points: overall satisfactory answer, although content-related errors and/or misuse of terminology are present.
1 point: some of the required knowledge is demonstrated and terminology is used to some extent, but the answer is substantially incorrect.
0 points: none of the required knowledge is demonstrated.
Students with learning disabilities (DSA) and/or disabilities who wish to request accommodations for the examination must arrange the details of their case as early as possible with the instructor and the relevant university office, following carefully the procedures described at the following links (under "Support for teaching and communication 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 examination purposes is available on myAriel (with thanks to student AFC).
Students who, for any reason, wish to take the examination earlier or later than scheduled must find another student with whom to swap examination slots. The examination schedule is finalized as follows: on the day after registration closes, I will send an email asking you to confirm your attendance at the examination (if you have swapped slots with someone, please notify me). The following morning, I will prepare and circulate the examination schedule. Students who do not confirm their attendance by replying to my email will have to appear in person at the examination session and will be added to the end of the list. This procedure is necessary due to the high number of students who fail to attend the examination without withdrawing their registration.
The examination may be taken starting from the first session following the conclusion of the course and for a total of seven examination sessions.
For non-attending students, the oral examination instead consists of two types of questions, all based on the assigned readings (which, again, must be brought to the examination). The first type focuses, as in the examination for attending students, on fundamental concepts. The second focuses on more advanced issues discussed in the assigned texts.
The examination consists of five questions, each graded on a scale from 0 to 6 points. Scores of 6, 5, 4, 1, and 0 are characterized as follows (intermediate scores are, of course, possible):
6 points: detailed and error-free answer; correct use of terminology.
5 points: substantially correct answer, though not fully detailed and/or containing some inaccuracies; possible imprecision in the use of terminology.
4 points: overall satisfactory answer, although content-related errors and/or misuse of terminology are present.
1 point: some of the required knowledge is demonstrated and terminology is used to some extent, but the answer is substantially incorrect.
0 points: none of the required knowledge is demonstrated.
Students with learning disabilities (DSA) and/or disabilities who wish to request accommodations for the examination must arrange the details of their case as early as possible with the instructor and the relevant university office, following carefully the procedures described at the following links (under "Support for teaching and communication 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 examination purposes is available on myAriel (with thanks to student AFC).
Students who, for any reason, wish to take the examination earlier or later than scheduled must find another student with whom to swap examination slots. The examination schedule is finalized as follows: on the day after registration closes, I will send an email asking you to confirm your attendance at the examination (if you have swapped slots with someone, please notify me). The following morning, I will prepare and circulate the examination schedule. Students who do not confirm their attendance by replying to my email will have to appear in person at the examination session and will be added to the end of the list. This procedure is necessary due to the high number of students who fail to attend the examination without withdrawing their registration.
The examination may be taken starting from the first session following the conclusion of the course and for a total of seven examination sessions.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-01/A - Theoretical Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
PHIL-01/A - Theoretical Philosophy - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)