Middlebury

PHIL 0360

Consciousness

Consciousness
In this course we will focus on recent philosophical issues in the study of consciousness: What is the nature of our conscious subjective experience? What is the function of conscious states? Can we find neural correlates of consciousness, and if so, can consciousness simply be reduced to them? If not, how does consciousness relate to the physical? Is there something irreducible about the qualitative features of consciousness (qualia)? Could computers ever be conscious? Are animals conscious? We will consider such questions through the writings of contemporary philosophers and neuroscientists such as Dennett, Chalmers, Churchland, Nagel, Damasio, and Searle. (PHIL 0352 is strongly recommended but not required). 3 hrs. lect.
Subject:
Philosophy
Department:
Philosophy
Division:
Humanities
Requirements Fulfilled:
PHL
Equivalent Courses:
PHIL 0419
PHIL 1074

Sections in Spring 2011

Spring 2011

PHIL0360A-S11 Lecture (Spackman)