Syllabus
Texts
The texts for this course will consist of a number of philosophy articles (mostly written during the past 50 years). We will also read a number of science fiction articles, and watch some movies that deal with issues that we're examining in this class. We'll discuss these stories and movies in class and (especially) in sections.
You need to buy four books, and also read a bunch of articles that we'll make available online.
The texts will be available at the NYU Bookstore. Or you can purchase them online: I've put links to Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com on the web version of this syllabus.
The books are:
Requirements of the Course
It is essential that you attend the lectures. Much material not in the readings will be presented in lecture.
There is a reading assignment for most class meetings. These readings are often pretty short, but they all require close study. You should read them carefully before we discuss them in class, and you'll need to read them more than once. You won't understand the material unless you read it several times. A good strategy would be to read it at least once before we discuss it, and then go back and read it again after we've discussed it.
You will also be required to attend a discussion section once a week. You are strongly encouraged to speak up in these sections. Talking about philosophy is one of the best ways of learning how to do it. Your participation in these sections will make up a substantial part of your grade for the course. There may be short writing exercises due in section.
We will be showing a movie later in the term. This is important for our discussion in class and in section. The movie is scheduled for this evening:
- Wednesday April 16, at 7 pm, in Silver 806
- The Prestige
Make every effort to keep this evening free. Even if you've already seen this movie, you should try to see it again this term, in order to have it fresh in your mind. If you're not able to see it when we screen it, you can borrow a copy from Bobst Library or your favorite video store, and watch it on your own time.
In addition to any short writing exercises due in section, you will also write several papers for the course:
- a 1-2 page argumentative paper due Monday 2/11. This will not be graded, but everyone must complete the assignment on time. We will be giving you critical feedback on these papers.
- a 1-2 page exegetical paper due Monday 3/3. These too will be ungraded, but we will review them and discuss them in sections.
- a 2-3 page paper due Monday 3/31. This paper will be graded, and you will have to rewrite it based on your grader's comments. Your rewrite will also be graded.
- the rewrites will be due Monday 4/14
- a 4-6 page graded paper, due Monday 4/28
There will be a final exam, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday 5/7, from 8-9:50 am.
Check the registrar's exam list for more information about the date and location.
Grading
- 30% for participation and writing assignments in section
- 10% first graded paper
- 20% revision of first graded paper
- 20% second graded paper
- 20% final exam
Schedule of Topics and Readings
In past years, we stuck more-or-less closely to a regular schedule. But I think it may work better for you if we're somewhat flexible about what we read when. To that end, I'll only announce the order in which we'll be reading things. Pay attention in class and to the front page of this website to see what point we're at each week.
Links to all these readings, lecture notes, and optional readings and stuff on the web, can all be found on the Handouts and Lecture Notes page.
Introduction
- Jenkins, "The Philosophy of Flirting" 1/28
- Nolan, "The Varieties of Flirtatious Experience" 1/28
Other Minds
Animal and Machine Minds
- Mind's I Ch 8: "Mark III Beast" 1/30
- Allen, "Star Witness" 1/30
AI and the Turing Test
- Mind's I Ch 4-5 2/4
- Story: Super-Toys Last All Summer Long 2/4
The Mind/Body Problem
What is Life?
Dualism vs. Materialism
- van Inwagen, Ch 9 and part of Ch 10 2/13
Free Will
Determinism and Compatibilism
- "Death Speaks" 2/27
- Kane Ch 1-2 2/27
- Stace, "The Problem of Free Will" 2/27
Incompatibilism and Agent=Causation Theories
- van Inwagen Ch 11 3/10-3/12
- Kane Ch 3-5 3/10-3/12
- Taylor, "Freedom and Determinism" 3/10-3/12
Back To The Mind/Body Problem
Causal Theory of Mind, Functionalism
- Armstrong, "The Nature of Mind" 3/26
- Lycan, "Machine Consciousness" 3/26
- Mind's I Ch 26: "A Conversation with Einstein's Brain" 3/31
- Mind's I Ch 22: Searle, "Minds, Brains, and Programs" 3/31
Personal Identity
- Story: Dick, Impostor 4/9
- Mind's I Ch 13: Dennett, "Where Am I?" 4/9
- Story: Egan, "Learning to Be Me" 4/9
- Perry, Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality 4/16 and following classes
- Parfit, "What We Believe Ourselves To Be" 4/21
- Feldman Ch 4-6
- Parfit, "The Unimportance of Identity"
Why Is Death Bad?
- Pryor, "What's So Bad About Living in the Matrix?"
- Feldman Ch 8-9