Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2011 - 2012

Module Title	Language and Mind
Module Code	PHIL4
School	Oscail
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Mr James Brunton	Office Number	D102
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15
Pre-requisite	PHIL1
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

Part 1 reviews developments in the philosophy of language in the twentieth century. Part 2 examines contemporary arguments concerning theories of mind, brain and science.

Learning Outcomes

1. Evaluate the contributions to philosophy of language made by several 20thcentury philosophers of language including Wittgenstein, Putnam and Chomsky
2. Analyse the philosophical approaches to a major issue in modernphilosophy of language, the problem of reference
3. Discuss possible relationships between the world, language and the mindthat create linguistic meaning
4. Evaluate the explanatory value of physicalist theories of mind, includingidentity theory, functionalism and eliminative materialism
5. Analyse the problems that physicalist theories of mind encounter
6. Discuss whether any dualist theory of mind can be argued successfully

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Tutorial	15	No Description
On-line learning	15	No Description
Independent learning	345	No Description
Total Workload: 375

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

PART ONE: Philosophy of language.
Unit 1: Introduction: The Linguistic Turn to Twentieth Century Philosophy.

Unit 2: The Fregian Legacy.
Unit 3: The logical Positivist Search for Meaning.

Unit 4: The Later Wittgenstein's Paradigm Shift.
Unit 5: Quine's Holism.

Unit 6: The Causal Theory of Reference.
Unit 7: Chomsky's Cartesian Linguistics.

Unit 8: Davidson: The Metaphorical Debate.
Unit 9: The Dualist Tradition.

Unit 10: Logical Behaviourism.
:.

PART TWO: Philosophy of Mind.
Unit 11: The Mind-Brain Identity Theory.

Unit 12: Physicalism and the Mystery of Subjectivity.
Unit 13: Minds, Brains and Science.

Unit 14: Eliminative Materialism.
Unit 15: Functionalism and Artificial Intelligence.

Unit 16: Rediscovering the Mind: Contemporary Arguments for Dualism.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	50%	Examination Weight	50%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	Assessment takes a variety of forms, including essays, reports, learning journals, presentations and group assignments.	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

Ayer, A.J: 2001, Language Truth and Logic,
Davidson, Donald: 2004, Inquiries into truth and interpretation. Philosophical Essays,
Kenny, Anthony: 2005, Wittgenstein,
Moore, A.W: 1993, Meaning and Reference,
Ortony, A: 1994, Metaphor and Thought,
Putnam, Hillary: 1979, Philosophical Papers: Volume 2, Mind, Language and Reality,
Quine, W: 1986, Theories and Things,
Searle, J.R: 1992, Minds, Brains and Science: The 1984 Reith Lectures,
Wittgenstein, L: 2001, Philosophical Investigations,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

Diploma/BA in Humanities

BASM

BA Single Module

Timetable this semester: Timetable for PHIL4

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