Dualist theories Substance dualism Week Teaching notes Anthology references Key concepts Skills development Assessment 2–3 As this is the discussion of the topic, spend time closely analysing the arguments and how they can be challenged. Use relevant texts and the study of these as the basis for an initial diagnostic assessment. Shapiro, L, The correspondence between Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia and René Descartes Descartes, R, Meditations on first philosophy, 6 Substance Dualism Individibility Mental Conceivability Understanding the definitions of key and distinctions. Understanding the nature and structure of arguments. Briefly outline Descartes’ indivisibility argument (5 marks). Property dualism Week Teaching Anthology references Key concepts Skills development Assessment 4–5 Students to reflect on the implications of this argument for the other theories we have considered. Chalmers D, Blackwell guide to the philosophy of mind – consciousness and its place in nature Property Supervenient Philosophical zombies Metaphysically possible Discussing the relative merits of different objections to a position. Briefly explain the philosophical zombie argument for property dualism (5 marks).
Jackson F, Epiphenomenal Qualia, 32, 127–136 Ability, acquaintance and propositional knowledge The generation of examples to demonstrate understanding. Issues Week Teaching notes Anthology references Key concepts Skills development Assessment 6–7 Students to consider how an argument might be developed based on the question ‘is the mind distinct from the body?’ Extension: Introduction of Wittgenstein’s Private Language Argument as a possible response to the problem of other minds. Focus on understanding demands of 25 mark questions. Shapiro, L, The correspondence between Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia and René Descartes Descartes, R, Meditations on first philosophy, 6 Category mistake Analogy Hypothesis Interactionist Empirical Discussing the relative merits of different objections to a position. The drawing of and supporting of appropriate conclusions. Students to try and set their own questions for each other to answer, with supervision.
Physicalist theories Physicalism Week Teaching notes Anthology references Key concepts Skills development Assessment 8–9 Chapter 1 in The concept of mind is very accessible. Students can read this independently, especially Ryle’s discussion of category mistakes and examples of these. Extension for stretch and challenge – Wittgenstein’s private language argument as a response to apparent asymmetry between and knowledge of people’s mental states. Ryle, G, The concept of mind Chalmers D, Blackwell to the philosophy of mind – consciousness and its place in nature Hempel, C, The logical analysis of psychology, in Jeffrey, R, Hempel, C, Selected philosophical essays Putnam, H, Mind, language and reality: the nature of mental states Supervene Behaviourism Mental states Understanding the definitions of key and distinctions. The generation of examples to demonstrate understanding. Can mental states be reduced to behavioural states? (25 marks). Mind-brain type identity theory Week Teaching notes Anthology references Key concepts Skills development Assessment
14–15 Excellent opportunity to use selected clips from films that are based on the concept of AI, and student understanding of functionalism can be consolidated by these (eg AI, iRobot, Ex Machina). are many clips of Dan Dennett and Ned Block discussing consciousness that are easily accessed on YouTube that may be useful as a stimulant to discussion. Putnam, H, Mind, language and reality: the nature of mental states N, Readings in philosophy of psychology – troubles with functionalism, section 1.2 Function Qualia Mentality The drawing of and supporting of appropriate conclusions. Discussing the relative merits of different objections to a position. How might qualia be problematic for functionalism? (12 marks). 16 Revision and mock exam