PHLB81

Fall Session 2019

Theories of Mind


This course is an examination of questions concerning the nature of mind. Philosophical questions considered may include: what is consciousness, what is the relation between the mind and the brain, how did the mind evolve and do animals have minds, what is thinking, what are feelings and emotions, and can machines have minds.


Special Notices

FINAL EXAM: Friday, Dec 13, 7-9pm in SY110. Format: 1 short answer section; ! essay section, each section equally weighted. Exam covers all of Kim's book

Extra Office Hours: I'll be in my office Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 1-2pm and Monday, Dec 9 from 1-3pm
.

NOTE: for final week there is no weekly assignment.
Essay 2 Topics now available here.
NOTE: due date for Essay 2 moved to Monday, December 2 (topics to come).


Link to tornado sim: here.
Link to Mary: here.
Link to Enchroma: here.
Link to sperber: here.
Link to change blindness: here
Link to change blindness 2: here

Instructor

William Seager
Office: MW 388
E-mail: William Seager
Office Hrs: Tuesday: 3-4, Thursday: 1-2 or by appointment.

Text

Philosophy of Mind, 3rd edition
Jaegwon Kim

Plan of Course

My goal is to get through all of Kim's book. That means reading about one chapter every week, which is what we will aim for. Kim's book is sometimes a bit difficult, so class attendance is especially important, and don't be afraid to ask quetions during lectures.

Evaluation

The final grade will be based two term papers (worth 30% of the final grade each), a set of weekly exercises to be handed in each week at class (worth altogether 5% of the final grade), and a final exam (worth 35% of the final grade).

The Papers: these will be on topics to be provided on this web page. The paper should be no more than 1800 words long and no less than 1600 words long.
     Philosophy demands hard and careful thought, and such thought deserves clear and well organized writing for its expression. Some advice on writing philosophy papers will of course be provided in class. And here are a couple of links: Peter Horban's Writing a Philosophy Paper; James Pryor's Guidelines on Writing a Philosophy Paper.
     Note also that late essays are not acceptable unless you have a valid reason for not being able to produce the essay in a timely fashion. I *may* accept late essays one week late with a one grade (10%) penalty. Please discuss any problems with me.

The Weekly Exercises: these will be sets of questions about the current readings. The questions will mostly be obvious and based entirely on the readings. Your answers will not be graded - you will receive credit for handing in your work ON TIME so long as a good faith effort has been made. Altogether, they are worth 5% of the final grade so you needn't feel devastated if you miss one. But it's an easy 5% and will help you keep up with the reading.

The Final Exam: this will be held in the final exam period. The exam will be two hours long and will consist of a short answer question section (the questions will be similar to the kinds of questions found on the weekly assignments) plus a short essay section in which you will write a brief essay on one of a set of provided topics.


Important Dates

Tuesday, September 3, 2019: First meeting of PHLB81F, 7pm in SW143.
Monday, September 16, 2019: Last day to add classes.
Thursday, October 17, 2019: TERM PAPER I due. Topics here.
October 12-18, 2019: Reading Week.
Monday, November 18, 2019: Last day to drop F courses.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019: Final Class.
Monday, December 2, 2019: TERM PAPER II due. Topics here.
December 3-5, 2019: Study Break.
December 5-19, 2019: Final Examination Period.
B81 FINAL EXAM: Friday, December 13, 7-9pm, SY110.

Where are we?

Week of Sept. 2: Introductory Meeting - Class Overview.
Week of Sept. 9: Reading Kim: Ch. 1.
Week of Sept. 16: Reading Kim: Chs. 1 and 2.
Week of Sept. 23: Reading Kim: Chs. 2 and 3.
Week of Sept. 30: Reading Kim: Chs. 3 and 4.
Week of Oct. 7: Reading Kim: Chs. 4 and 5.
Week of Oct. 14: Reading Week: No Classes.
Week of Oct. 21: Reading Kim: Chs. 5 and 6.
Week of Oct. 28: Reading Kim: Chs. 6 and 7.
Week of Nov. 4: Reading Kim: Chs. 7 and 8.
Week of Nov. 11: Reading Kim: Chs. 8 and 9.
Week of Nov. 18: Reading Kim: Chs. 9 and 10.
Week of Nov. 25: Reading Kim: Ch. 10.

Current Assignment

Assignment 1 week of Sept. 9. (Get assignment 1.)
Assignment 2 week of Sept. 16. (Get assignment 2.)
Assignment 3 week of Sept. 23. (Get assignment 3.)
Assignment 4 week of Sept. 30. (Get assignment 4.)
Assignment 5 week of Oct. 7. (Get assignment 5.)
Assignment 6 week of Oct. 21. (Get assignment 6.)
Assignment 7 week of Oct. 28. (Get assignment 7.)
Assignment 8 week of Nov. 4 (Get assignment 8.)
Assignment 9 week of Nov. 11 (Get assignment 9.)
Assignment 10 week of Nov. 18 (Get assignment 10.)
No assignment for week of Nov. 25.



Philosophy Department (MW Building), University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, M1C1A4

Office: MW 374       Phone: 416-208-2976