Postgraduate Module Descriptor

PHLM007: Current Issues in Mind and Cognition

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

You will learn about current approaches to long-standing problems in the philosophy of mind, including questions concerning the nature of perception, cognition, and emotion, and come to understand the conceptual and theoretical frameworks that underpin competing answers to these problems. You will examine how the philosophy of mind is informed by, and informs, the sciences of the mind, and learn to evaluate recent work in the field and to articulate your own ideas with precision and clarity. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Understand a range of different current research topics in the philosophy of mind
2. Analyse and evaluate current research methods in a rigorous, informed and critical way
3. Learn how philosophical research is informed by, and informs, the empirical study of the mind
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Appreciate the ways in which philosophical topics are situated in a social and scientific context
5. Critically and rigorously evaluate a range of different philosophical styles and approaches
6. Reflect critically upon the relationship between philosophy, psychology, and cognitive science
Personal and Key Skills7. Engage in complex arguments verbally and in small groups
8. Critically engage with written texts in a clear and rigorous way
9. Present complex ideas to peers and respond to questions in a clear and respectful manner

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Aydede, M. (2009) ‘Is Feeling Pain the Perception of Something?’, Journal of Philosophy 106(10):531-567

Clark, A. (2013) ‘Whatever Next? Predictive Brains, Situated Agents, and the Future of Cognitive Science’, Behavioural and Brain Sciences 36(3):181-204;

Gunn, R. (2016) ‘On Thought Insertion’, Review of Philosophy and Psychology, 7(3):559-575

Matthen, M. (2015) ‘Play, Skill, and the Origins of Perceptual Art’, British Journal of Aesthetics 55(2):173-197

Mcneill, W. (2015) ‘The Visual Role of Objects’ Facing Surfaces’, Philosophy & Phenomenological Research, 92(2):411-431

Taylor, E. (2016) ‘Explanation and the Explanatory Gap’, Acta Analytica 31(1):77-88