WBMD4051: Topics in Philosophy of Mind

“SELF-KNOWLEDGE: KNOWING ONESELF AS AN AGENT”



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Periode 3, 2005; Mondays and Wednesdays, 11-1; Bestuursgebouw 195

Joel Anderson Bestuursgebouw 172; 253-2874. Email: “Joel dot Anderson at phil.uu.nl”


THEME FOR THE COURSE: This advanced seminar will focus on a variety of puzzles regarding how we come to know (or fail to know) the content of our own minds. In particular, we will focus on our purported special “first-person authority” about what we really think or feel, the “practical” (as distinct from epistemic) dimensions of self-knowledge, the “constructive” dimensions of self-interpretation, and the possibility observing oneself as a subjective agent


REQUIRED TEXTS FOR THE COURSE:

  1. Ernst Tugendhat, Self-Consciousness and Self-Determination, tran. Paul Stern (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1986). German: Selbstbewußtsein und Selbstbestimmung: Sprachanalytische Interpretationen (Frankfurt: Suhrkamp, 1979).

  2. Richard Moran, Authority and Estrangement: An Essay on Self-Knowledge (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2001).



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    REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE

  1. Class presentation (25%). Each participant will do one presentation of approximately 10 minutes. The presentation will be evaluated primarily on how well the presenter explains (and leads discussion on) the arguments that could be given for and against two or three central controversial claims that are made in the relevant text. Note: it is unacceptable to simply summarize the text.

  2. Final paper (50%). This is due on Monday, April 18 and should be 3000-4000 words in length. It will be evaluated on the basis of quality of argument, strength of counterarguments addressed, understanding of the relevant texts, clarity of writing, and independence of thought. Your paper should address as a research problem in the area of the course. It may be in Dutch or English.

  3. Regular, active, and well-prepared participation (25%*): I expect you to come to class having read the text carefully and having written out two or three questions or comments dealing with the issues raised in the reading for the relevant class (or with issues of how to interpret the text). Your grade for this course requirement is a function of the quality (not necessarily quantity!) of your remarks and questions, your demonstrated grasp of the texts, and your ability to engage in discussion (which includes responding constructively to what other participants say).