PHIL 395 - Intensive Reading Philosophy

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

An intensive study of a particular text or author offered by various members of the faculty with expertise in that text or author.

Topic for 2024/25b: Reading: Philosophy of Creative Thought. What is creative thought and how are minds able to do it? This course considers different forms of creative thought to address these questions. We begin with questions about creative states of mind. Why are we often at our most creative when our minds are wandering? What is it to be in a state of ‘flow’? Then we turn our attention to imagery and synesthesia, as well as the role of the body in creative thought. In the next part of the course, we explore two closely related forms of creative thought: analogy and metaphor. How are we able to understand analogies and metaphors, and how are we able to produce them? Can AIs do anything like our analogical thinking? Why does figurative language seem to be so good at evoking emotion? Throughout the course, we consider creative work alongside scholarly writing across several disciplines. Kathryn Pendoley.

Prerequisite(s): One prior course in Philosophy at any level.

One 3-hour period.

Course Format: INT