PHLC95 - Essay 1: Topics

Here are a set of possible topics for PHLC95's first essay. Please select one to write on.

Your essay should be about 2000 words. You should strive to both explain the issue you are dealing with as clearly as possible and critically/argumentative engage with the issue. This should involve both analysing and criticising existing arguments in the readings and attempting to advance the debate with your own arguments and point of view.

1. The Hard Problem of Consciousness. What is the Hard Problem of Consciousness? Describe and analyse the problem. Try to explain as clearly as possible Koch's answer to it. Do you think Koch's answer succeeds in solving the Hard Problem? Why or why not?

2. Neural Correlates of Consciousness. What are neural correlates of consciousness (NCCs)? Explain how they might be discovered. What kinds of evidence do we need to find the NCCs? What significance do NCCs have on the philosophical problem of consciousness?

3. Freedom. Koch is quite concerned with the ancient problem of the freedom of the will. Explain what this problem is and why Koch is particular worried about it as a brain scientist. Try to explain as clearly as possible Koch's own answer to the problem. Do you think he has correctly analzyed the problem of freedom? Why or why not?