Undergraduate Course: Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course introduces central problems and concepts in philosophy of mind and philosophy of language. In the philosophy of mind, it tackles questions like: Is the mind ultimately the same thing as the brain, or is it some non-physical entity, unlike what current science tells us is real? Can a computer be conscious? To what extent are our thoughts really inside our heads? In the philosophy of language, the course tackles questions like: What is meaning? How can our language not merely describe the world, but also change it? How is speech oppressive? |
| Course description |
Not entered
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Outside students are welcome to take this course. There are no official pre-requisites, and the course will not presuppose material from previous philosophy courses. However, students should be aware that, as this is a second year course, having a background in philosophy is an advantage. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should usually have at least 1 introductory level Philosophy course at grade B or above for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 33,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
153 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Mid-Term Essay (25%) 1500 words
Final Assignment (70%) 2500 words
Short Assignments (5%)
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| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of central philosophical positions in philosophy of mind and language.
- Critically engage with different views and arguments in the covered areas.
- Appreciate the value of abstract philosophical thought.
- Reconstruct and evaluate arguments from philosophical texts.
- Express philosophical ideas and arguments in writing.
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Additional Information
| Course URL |
https://uoe.sharepoint.com/sites/hss/ppls/PPLS-Undergraduate-Student-Hub-home/SitePages/Handbooks-%26-Course-Guides-Philosophy.aspx |
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Through the lectures, readings and assessments, students will enhance their learning on how to critically analyse texts and philosophical theories. When reading, students will learn how to read a text to fully understand and deconstruct the argument, and then assess its validity - bringing this skill to the assessment. They will continue developing their analysis skills, learning how to consider all sides and perspectives to an argument before deciding on their stance. Tutorials allow students to develop their ideas, test theories, discuss, debate and consider others' perspectives to cement their understanding of a theory. In the assessments students will develop their written communication and argumentation skill.
Core skills gained on this course:
Critical thinking, critical analysis, considering alternative perspectives, research skills, deconstruct complex theories, public speaking, debating respectfully, clear written communication, writing concisely, adapting tone to audience, resilience/perseverance. |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Lecturers:
Dr Milo Phillips-Brown
Dr Schwarz
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| Keywords | Philosophy of mindPhilosophy of languageMind-body problem IntentionalitySense and reference |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Milo Phillips-Brown
Tel:
Email: milopb@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Catriona Keay
Tel:
Email: ckeay4@ed.ac.uk |
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