2026/2027
Философия сознания: введение в современные дебаты
ID 1248982
Статус:
Маго-лего
Кто читает:
Кафедра философии
Где читается:
Санкт-Петербургская школа гуманитарных наук и искусств
Когда читается:
1, 2 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ
Преподаватели:
Фауль Богдан Владимирович
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
6
Контактные часы:
32
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course Philosophy of Mind: Introduction to Contemporary Debates is designed to introduce students to the main problems and contemporary discussions in the philosophy of mind. Students will study major theories of consciousness, intentionality, introspection, personal identity, and the relation between mind and body, as well as examine competing accounts of subjective experience and mental representation. Special attention will be given to the analysis of contemporary arguments and to the relevance of these debates for broader philosophical and scientific inquiry.
Learning Objectives
- The aim of the course is to introduce students to the central problems, concepts, and contemporary debates in the philosophy of mind. The course is designed to develop an understanding of major philosophical approaches to phenomenal consciousness, intentionality, self-knowledge, and related problems, as well as the ability to critically assess arguments concerning the nature of the mind and its relation to the physical world.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Ability to analyse the main problems concerning phenomenal consciousness, evaluate arguments for different approaches, and identify the main difficulties these approaches face.
- Identify, describe, compare, and analyse the main problems of philosophy of mind and their historical development.
- Identify, describe, compare, and analyse the main theories of intentionality; evaluate arguments concerning mental representation and intentional content; identify the main problems and objections these theories face.
- Analyse and distinguish between major theories of introspection, evaluate arguments concerning access to one’s own mental states, and assess the main objections to these theories.
Course Contents
- 1. Introduction: History and Main Problems of Philosophy of Mind
- 2. The Problem of Locating Phenomenal Consciousness
- 3. Intentionality
- 4. Introspection
Assessment Elements
- Seminar Activity
- ProjectsStudents work in groups of 2–3 and choose one of the philosophical theories discussed in the course. Each group prepares a 6-minute presentation that develops the strongest possible case for the chosen theory. The aim is not simply to describe the theory, but to reconstruct its main motivations and arguments and to explain why a rational person might regard it as the best available theoretical option.
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- A materialist theory of the mind, Armstrong, D. M., 2002
- Dennett, D. C. (2005). Sweet Dreams : Philosophical Obstacles to a Science of Consciousness. Cambridge, Mass: A Bradford Book. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=138505
- Jacquette, D. (2009). The Philosophy of Mind : The Metaphysics of Consciousness. London: Continuum. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2299071
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- A neurocomputational perspective : the nature of mind and the structure of science, Churchland, P. M., 2000
- Chalmers, D. J. (2013). How can we construct a science of consciousness? Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1303(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.12166
- Torin Alter, & Sven Walter. (2007). Phenomenal Concepts and Phenomenal Knowledge : New Essays on Consciousness and Physicalism. Oxford University Press.