An examination of questions concerning the nature of mind and thinking. Traditionally, the mind has been conceived as a mysterious component of human beings, existing in relative independence from the conditions of physical life. Modern research into the structure and function of the brain has thrown doubts on this view, and work in computer science suggests that minds and thinking can even be attributed to machines. We will examine the nature of the mind, and such questions as what thinking is, and whether or not machines can have a mind. Gender issues have lately animated a lively and important discussion among feminist philosophers and social scientists, as well as among the public at large.
Current approaches vary greatly.
However, since ideas about gender differences have historically been used to subordinate or oppress women, the current approaches discussed in this course all share a commitment to social critique. Our text will be Gender , edited by Carol C. Gould. An examination of the nature of science and the nature of the world as portrayed by science. In this course we will study the religious philosophy of several philosophers of the early modern period, including Descartes, Hume, Berkeley, and others. While we will focus on their religious writings, we will also be concerned with other aspects of their philosophies, such as their epistemology and morality.