Topic: The Mind-Body Problem
| Time | Days | Location | Instructor | GER | Credit | OPUS Class Number | Syllabus (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11:30am- | TuTh | Rich Building 108 | Goldenbaum, Ursula. | HAP. | 4 | 1278 | TBA. |
How could a thought possibly move a body? Or could actually a body move a thought? Although the relation of body and mind had been discussed since the beginning of philosophy, the mind-body-problem originated only with the principle of inertia and modern mechanics. Philosophers since the 17th century tried to solve this problem. Is our body a machine? Can our soul direct it? The crucial question of the possibility of free will depends on the solution of this problem. Philosophy had almost given up and tried to ignore the problem for the last 150 years. With the recent success of neuroscience, the mind-body-problem is back on the table though and with it the discussion about free will.
Required Textbooks, Articles, and Resources
- Materialism and the Mind-Body Problem. ISBN: 9780872204782.A Reader at about $ 12 with the necessary texts will be provided.
Grading
| Assignment/Exam | Details | % of Total Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Regular and casual quizzes about the reading assignments | 30% | |
| Midterm Exam | 25% | |
| Final Exam | 25% | |
| Active class participation | 20% |
The schedule of courses on O.P.U.S. is the official listing of courses, including days and times they meet and the General Education Requirements they satisfy. Students should use course descriptions as general guidelines. Course requirements, grading details, book lists, and syllabi are subject to change.