Philosophy of Mind
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Students will gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in an ongoing debate in philosophy of mind.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire the ability to:
- critically analyse arguments;
- discuss and compare different philosophical positions;
- reflect on complex and articulated philosophical arguments, by using various tools adopted in philosophy of mind;
- take their own position in a philosophical debate and to put forward arguments in support of it;
- communicate the results of their research effectively, also using multimedia techniques to represent information with possible applications in teaching;
- use relational, communicative and organisational skills also in highly complex contexts and in the management of group work;
- transmit the skills obtained also in non-specialist contexts;
- reflect on their own skills and evaluations;
- autonomously research the philosophical sources of a debate or a school of thought;
- independently investigate a philosophical position or theoretical thesis.
- critically analyse arguments;
- discuss and compare different philosophical positions;
- reflect on complex and articulated philosophical arguments, by using various tools adopted in philosophy of mind;
- take their own position in a philosophical debate and to put forward arguments in support of it;
- communicate the results of their research effectively, also using multimedia techniques to represent information with possible applications in teaching;
- use relational, communicative and organisational skills also in highly complex contexts and in the management of group work;
- transmit the skills obtained also in non-specialist contexts;
- reflect on their own skills and evaluations;
- autonomously research the philosophical sources of a debate or a school of thought;
- independently investigate a philosophical position or theoretical thesis.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
Main topics from current philosophy of mind will be covered, focusing on Chalmers's theory of consciousness and its place in nature.
Prerequisites for admission
B2 in English will be presupposed.
Teaching methods
Presentation by the course leader and participants, in-class discussion of the reference literature. The aim is to develop an in-depth understanding of the philosophical debate and of capacities of critical thinking and constructive discussion.
Teaching Resources
Chalmers, D. 2010. The Character of Consciousness. Oxford, OUP.
List, C. (2023). The many-worlds theory of consciousness. Noûs, 57, 316-340. https://doi.org/10.1111/nous.12408
Yli-Vakkuri, J., Hawthorne, J. 2018. Narrow Content. Oxford, OUP.
Further information on the availability of texts on the Ariel site of the course.
List, C. (2023). The many-worlds theory of consciousness. Noûs, 57, 316-340. https://doi.org/10.1111/nous.12408
Yli-Vakkuri, J., Hawthorne, J. 2018. Narrow Content. Oxford, OUP.
Further information on the availability of texts on the Ariel site of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
(i) Assessment of ability to write by a brief essay on a topic to be agreed upon and to be handed in 10 days before the oral exam.
(ii) Assessment of the ability to discuss a research topic by an oral exam.
(ii) Assessment of the ability to discuss a research topic by an oral exam.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-04/B - Philosophy and Language theory - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
PHIL-04/B - Philosophy and Language theory - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 16.30- 19.30, office or online upon prenotation by email.