Module #1 Introduction to Philosophy of Mind Overview of the field, key concepts, and central questions
Module #2 Dualism vs. Monism Exploring the fundamental divide between dualist and monist approaches to the mind-body problem
Module #3 René Descartes and the Mind-Body Problem Examining Descartes influential arguments for dualism and the implications for modern philosophy of mind
Module #4 Behaviorism and the Rise of Scientific Psychology The development of behaviorism as a response to dualism, and its influence on the study of consciousness
Module #5 The Identity Theory and Type-Physicalism Exploring the arguments for and against the idea that mental states are identical with physical states
Module #6 Functionalism and the Computational Mind The rise of functionalism and its implications for our understanding of mental states and processes
Module #7 The Hard Problem of Consciousness David Chalmers formulation of the hard problem and its challenges to materialist accounts of consciousness
Module #8 Integrated Information Theory (IIT) Neuroscientist Giulio Tononis influential theory of consciousness and its implications for our understanding of the mind
Module #9 Global Workspace Theory (GWT) Psychologist Bernard Baars theory of consciousness as a global workspace, and its relation to IIT and other approaches
Module #10 Phenomenology and the Study of Conscious Experience The importance of phenomenology in understanding conscious experience, with a focus on Edmund Husserls work
Module #11 The Nature of Subjective Experience Exploring the characteristics and implications of subjective experience, including qualia and intentionality
Module #12 The Binding Problem and Neural Synchronization The binding problem in neuroscience and its relation to our understanding of conscious integration and unity
Module #13 Neural Darwinism and the Selection of Conscious Content Gerard Edelmans theory of neural Darwinism and its implications for our understanding of conscious perception and attention
Module #14 The Extended Mind Thesis The idea that the mind extends beyond the skull, and its implications for our understanding of cognition and consciousness
Module #15 Panpsychism and the Consciousness of Basic Entities The argument for panpsychism, and its implications for our understanding of consciousness and the natural world
Module #16 The Relationship Between Mind and Brain Examining the complex interplay between mental states and neural processes, including top-down and bottom-up approaches
Module #17 Free Will and Moral Responsibility The implications of philosophical theories of mind and consciousness for our understanding of free will and moral responsibility
Module #18 The Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Consciousness The challenges and opportunities posed by AI for our understanding of consciousness and the mind
Module #19 Consciousness and the Neural Correlates of Consciousness (NCCs) The search for the neural correlates of consciousness, and their implications for our understanding of conscious experience
Module #20 The Hard Problem and the Limits of Scientific Explanation The challenges of explaining consciousness within a scientific framework, and the limits of our current understanding
Module #21 Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science The intersection of philosophy of mind and cognitive science, including the influence of philosophical theories on empirical research
Module #22 Consciousness and the Brains Default Mode Network The role of the default mode network in consciousness, and its implications for our understanding of self and mind
Module #23 Mind-Wandering and the Nature of Conscious Experience The phenomenon of mind-wandering, and its implications for our understanding of conscious experience and the mind
Module #24 Altered States of Consciousness and the Study of Mind The study of altered states of consciousness, including dreams, psychedelic experiences, and meditation
Module #25 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Philosophy of Mind and Consciousness career
