Module manager: Léa Salje
Email: l.c.salje@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as a discovery module
Could an android think? How could we know that other people experience the world in the same way as we do? Can our minds survive bodily death? If you have ever asked these questions, then The Mind is the module you need. The module will cover the foundational issues in the philosophy of mind, raising questions and addressing puzzles that have troubled thinkers since ancient times. A particular focus will be on the "mind-body" problem: the task of explaining the relationship between beliefs and desires, experiences, and emotions on the one hand, and physical states of the brain and movements of the body on the other. In modern times there has been intense interest in the scientific study of the mind and brain by psychologists and neuroscientists. Can this work answer our longstanding philosophical questions about the relation between mind and body? Or do the ancient puzzles still persist?
This course aims to deepen understanding of philosophical inquiries into fundamental questions about consciousness, mental states, and the relationship between mind and body, while cultivating critical thinking and analytical skills.
The first learning objective is to gain a suite of core concepts in philosophy of mind. You will learn to define and differentiate key concepts such as mental states, consciousness, and physical matter enabling you to articulate the distinctions between dualism, physicalism, and other philosophical positions in the topic area. This objective will be served by lecture materials that provide glossary definitions of these key concepts.
A second objective is to engage meaningfully with a range of influential texts in philosophy of mind. This objective will be targeted by bi-weekly tutorials, for which you will be required to read primary texts in philosophy of mind, and come ready to discuss the text with your peers in class.
A third objective is to develop an ability to respond evaluatively to core theories in philosophy of mind. You will be exposed to various theories in weekly lectures. These lectures will cover critical responses to the theories discussed, as well as motivations in favour. Tutorial discussion will be structured around questions that encourage meaningful evaluation of the theories discussed in the text.
A fourth objective is to build up a solid foundation of critical thinking skills, as appropriate to the teaching level. This will be facilitated through lectures demonstrating well-constructed lines of critical thought and argument; through collaborative tutorial sessions in which you are supported by the tutorial leader in critically thinking through difficult ideas; and in summative essays in which you are invited to critically respond to a position, theory, argument or objection in philosophy of mind in systematic and clearly presented way.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped to thoughtfully engage with contemporary issues in philosophy of mind, and to articulate and defend philosophical arguments clearly and effectively.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Accurately identify the central issue in contention in at least one debate in philosophy of mind.
2. Develop a persuasive, cogent argument for or against at least one theory, position, argument or objection in philosophy of mind.
3. Explain concepts integral to philosophical investigation of the mind.
4. Accurately and concisely reconstruct core theories, objections, positions or arguments from primary research sources in philosophy of mind.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
6. Evaluate source material (Academic and Work Ready skill)
7. Research and utilise appropriate material to support knowledge and analysis of topics (Academic, Work Ready, Digital and Sustainability skill)
A typical syllabus on this module may cover such topics as:
- The mind-body problem
- The hard problem of consciousness
- Self-knowledge
- Non-human animal minds
- AI consciousness
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Private study hours | 84 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 16 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
In addition to the formative feedback available to students in student hours and seminar-based activities, each student is invited to complete ONE piece of formative work which will receive written feedback.
Students are given a choice of: an essay plan, an exposition of an argument or a written objection and reply.
To ensure that students get the formative feedback that they need, they are asked to read and reflect on (i) the feedback they received in previous summative assessments, (ii) the PRHS marking criteria and (iii) the specific guidance provided on the summative assessment in this module. This requires students to critically engage with previous feedback, current expectations, and play an active role in honing their knowledge and skill development.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 14/02/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team