PHIL 310 - Seminar in Analytic Philosophy

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

Topic for 2023/24a: Mental Taxonomies. What are mental representations? Are they compatible with embodiment? What are beliefs, desires, and credences, and are they ‘really real’? What is the relationship between a cognitive or psychological model and reality? Are emotions cognitive, is cognition emotional? Is perception cognitive, or cognition “modal”? Can psychology study minds individually, or are minds irreducibly social? In this class, we focus on discussing the distinctive epistemological and ontological issues that arise when approaching the science of mind generally, and considering relevant dichotomies in mental taxonomy. Topics vary by semester, with student input. Students are expected to develop sophisticated discussion, independent research and writing skills.

For this inaugural semester, topics include debates surrounding mental representations and the philosophy of perception. Sofia Ortiz-Hinojosa.

One 3-hour period.

Course Format: CLS