Summary
A selected examination of issues at the intersection
of contemporary philosophy and neuroscience. Topics may include: the
philosophical & theoretical bases of Social (Cognitive) Neuroscience,
the neurobiology of belief attribution, the metaphysical relationship
between mind and brain and the nature of the sensory modalities. Topics
will be addressed from an interdisciplinary perspective, including
not only philosophy and neuroscience, but also psychology, cognitive
science and others. |
Required Texts:
1. NP: Patricia Churchland
(1986). Neurophilosophy: Toward a Unified Science of the Mind-Brain.
MIT Press.
2. PC: Brian L. Keeley,
ed. (2005), Paul Churchland. Cambridge Univ. Press.
3. BF: William Hirstein,
Brain Fiction: Self-Deception and the Riddle of Confabulation.
(2004/06) MIT Press.
4. CC: Course-copy packet of additional readings.
Available via Sakai.
|
| Prerequisites: Coursework in philosophy
and/or neuroscience. Coursework in psychology with a psychobio component
also considered. Upper-class standing also preferred (sophomores with
relevant backgrounds will be considered). |
|
Notes:
- Profs. Scott-Kakures and Keeley are hoping that
this course will be a relatively high-level seminar on a variety
of issues at the intersection of philosophy and neuroscience. (See
the syllabus for a more detailed listing of what we will be looking
at this semester.) To maintain a seminar-like atmosphere, we plan
to keep the class small (<20). To keep the class at a high level,
we are restricting enrollment to juniors and seniors who have had
previous exposure to philosophy, neuroscience and/or psychology.
We also want to make sure that the class is well-balanced in terms
of the backgrounds of the students. An ideal candidate for this
class would be a junior/senior majoring in philosophy, but who has
taken Foundations of Neuroscience or Brain & Behavior.
Another ideal student would be a double major in Psychology and
Philosophy. Another would be a Neuroscience major who was intrigued
by the "History & Philosophy" module of Foundations
of Neuroscience.
- One unusual requirement for this class is that
we expect you to read an entire book, Pat Churchland's Neurophilosophy,
prior to the first day of class. The book will be the topic of discussion
during the first week of class.
- Satisfies a core analytic requirement in the Scripps
College Philosophy Major.
- This course counts as a "senior seminar"
for Pitzer philosophy majors.
- This course counts as an upper division metaphysics&
epistemology elective for Pomona philosophy majors.
- Counts as an elective in the Neuroscience Major.
|
How to get permission to enroll: If
you are interested in taking this class, please drop us an email and
make your case for your qualifications for the class. Tell us about
your background and explain why you want to take the course. We'll
make decisions on enrollment prior to the first day of registration.
|
FOR
THE SYLLABUS,
CLICK HERE |