Module manager: Heather Logue
Email: H.A.Logue@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module will cover a selection of key topics in the philosophy of mind. Such topics include consciousness (what it’s like to be in various kinds of mental states), intentionality (the mind’s being directed at or about the world), mental causation (how mental states causally affect things in the world), the metaphysics of mind in general (physicalist vs. non-physicalist theories), the metaphysics of particular kinds of mental states (e.g., perception, belief, desire, imagination, emotion), and the epistemology of mind (how we acquire knowledge about our own minds). Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The aims of this module are to enable you to describe some of the central problems of philosophy of mind and explain why they are so puzzling, evaluate existing attempts to solve these problems, and present and defend your own views about how or whether they can be solved.
These aims will be achieved through lectures (which will introduce you to key concepts, arguments, and theories) and seminar preparation and participation (where you will critically analyse relevant texts, discuss the material with other students, and develop and defend your own opinions about the module topics).
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1) Critically evaluate some of the central problems, arguments, and theories in philosophy of mind.
2) Cogently develop and defend your own view about some of the issues studied.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
3) Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
4) Use appropriate primary and secondary source material to support knowledge and analysis of topics (Academic, Work Ready, Digital skill).
The exact topics covered will vary from year to year, but the following is an indicative list of potential topics: consciousness, intentionality, mental causation, arguments for and against physicalism about the mind (e.g., conceivability arguments against physicalism), metaphysical theories of the mind (e.g., mind-brain identity theory, functionalism, dualism, panpsychism), the metaphysics of particular kinds of mental states (e.g., perception, belief, desire, imagination, emotion), the epistemology of mind (e.g., acquaintance theories, transparency theories).
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 14 | 1 | 14 |
| Seminars | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Private study hours | 177 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 23 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
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, exposition of an argument, or an objection and reply. Students should 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, and identify for themselves the type of formative feedback that will be most beneficial to them.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Resits will take the same format and students will select a different essay question from the list.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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