Ateneo - UPO

The course aims to present, from both a historical and theoretical perspective, the main theoretical approaches concerning the relationship between mental states and processes and brain states and processes. It will examine both classical and contemporary forms of dualism (substance dualism and property dualism), as well as different forms of materialism/physicalism (type and token identity theory, functionalism, and eliminativism), together with the main objections and alternative positions developed within contemporary philosophy.

1. M. Di Francesco, M. Marraffa, M. Tomasetta, Filosofia della mente. Corpo, coscienza, pensiero, Carocci, 2017.
2. Lectures notes available on the e-learning platform.

Basic level: The course aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the principal theoretical positions and debates concerning the mind–body problem.
Advanced level: The course aims to develop students' ability to critically evaluate the principal arguments supporting the positions examined, assessing their respective strengths and limitations.

Basic knowledge of the history of philosophy

Lectures. Question-time

Le studentesse e gli studenti con disabilità, con Disturbi Specifici dell’Apprendimento (DSA) o con Bisogni Educativi Speciali (BES) possono richiedere servizi e strumenti specifici a loro dedicati rivolgendosi allo Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consultando la pagina dedicata del sito di Ateneo: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa Le studentesse e gli studenti con disabilità, DSA o BES, una volta preso contatto con lo Staff di Ateneo, possono contattare il personale docente titolare dell’insegnamento per definire le modalità di esame e gli aspetti didattici.

The final assessment is designed to evaluate students' mastery of the topics covered during the course and of the required bibliography, in accordance with the course objectives and intended learning outcomes. The examination will consist of a written test lasting 90 minutes. It will comprise three open-ended questions, each focusing on one of the topics covered during the course. Each question will be marked out of 10, for a maximum total of 30 points.

1) Introduction: Why is there a mind–body problem, and why is it important to address it? 2) The origins of the philosophy of mind in ancient Greece and some of its subsequent developments. 3) Cartesian dualism and the problem of mind–body interaction. 4) Strong and moderate forms of materialism: type identity theory, functionalism, token identity theory, eliminativism. 5) The return of a moderate dualism: qualia and philosophical zombies. 6) Phenomenological approaches

Basic level: The course aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the principal theoretical positions and debates concerning the mind–body problem.
Advanced level: The course aims to develop students' ability to critically evaluate the principal arguments supporting the positions examined, assessing their respective strengths and limitations.