NS 363 - Philosophy of Psychology and Neuroscience

In this course, we will investigate the following six scientific questions about how the mind and brain work. (1) Do brains work like computers? (2) Are thoughts really just neurons firing? (3) Can non-human animals think? (4) Are human beings really rational? (5) Does the mind extend beyond the boundaries of the brain? (6) What are brains for, anyway? Our goal in this class is to figure out what, in general, the sciences of mind and brain have to say about our six questions. These questions are broad enough that it is difficult to know which experimental results are most relevant to answering them. Our first task, therefore, will be to clarify the questions themselves so that we have a better grasp on what might count as a good answer. Once we’ve determined what scientific literature is most relevant to answering these questions, we’ll read a selection of it, outline two or three promising answers, and assess their strengths and weaknesses.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Equivalent: PHL 363
Offered in the Spring Semester