Phil 473/673: Naturalizing Mental Meaning

Instructor: Chris Eliasmith

Course Description: This is a upper level course examining contemporary attempts to naturalize meaning. During the semester, students will read recent work in philosophy of mind that 1) defines the problem of naturalizing meaning, 2) describes a series of challenges for those wishing to take on this project, and 3) attempts to solve the problem and meet these challenges. Specifically, students will examine three contemporary attempts (with some variations), at naturalizing the meaning of mental states. Many of these attempts take psychological states to be those that must be ascribed mental content. As time permits, students will be exposed to the most recent attempts to naturalize meaning, which focus more on neural, rather than psychological states.

Note: Topics are due Oct. 26th. Final essays are due Dec. 16, 2005.

Syllabus

Policies and Information on Papers and Quizzes

Presentation Outlines

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Last updated Sept, 2005