PHI-20018 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

Is the mind the brain? Could a machine be conscious? Does what we think cause what we do? How do we represent the world? What are delusions? How do you know other people have minds like yours?
This module will introduce you to one of the most fundamental problems of philosophy, cognitive science and neuroscience: how we should understand the connection between the subjective mind (our thoughts, feelings, emotions) and the objective world (the human body, and especially, the brain).

The aim of the module is to introduce and assess various theories of the relation between mind and body. Students will then learn about the main areas of contemporary debate, concerning problems about cognitive psychology, the explanation of consciousness, artificial intelligence, and animal minds.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Present philosophical positions in person using visual aids: 2
Differentiate closely related theories and concepts accurately, and understand how philosophical commitments in metaphysics, epistemology and language can affect theories of mind: 1
Apply reasoning skills independently to develop philosophical positions about the mind-body problem and to defend them from objections: 1
Communicate ideas and arguments about mind and cognitive science effectively in writing in a variety of formats, as appropriate to both specialist and non-specialist audiences: 1,2
Explain the mind/body problem, and critically describe the major theories of mind put forward as a solution to this problem: 1,2

Study hours

12 hours lectures
12 hours seminars
60 hours seminar preparation reading
33 hours Presentation Preparation
33 hours Essay Preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment