Objectives and competences
The objective of this course is to evolve psychological competence and argumentative capacities by understanding conceptions of mentality in history and by analytically discussing their pros and cons based on a critical evaluation of proposed answers and on a search for autonomous and original solutions.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• Primeval conceptions of mentality: animism, shamanism, totemism;
• Old Greeks and the Hellenistic period: presocratics, atomism, Plato, Aristotle, epicureans, stoicism;
• The Middle and New Age: sholastics, rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz), empiricism (Hobbes, Locke, Hume);
• 18th and 19th century: Kant, positivism, Nietzsche;
• 20th century: emergentism, behaviorism, functionalism, reductionism.
Learning and teaching methods
Lectures with discussion;
Seminars: presentations and discussion.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
On completion of this course the student will be able to:
• Knowledge and understanding: identify psychological issues in all kinds of debates, sensitively interpret texts drawn from a variety of ages and traditions, express and formulate complex and controversial problems precisely.
• Use and analysis: analyse and construct sound arguments and recognise logical fallacies, methodological errors, rhetorical devices or unexamined conventional wisdom, invent or discover cases to support or challenge a position, and distinguish those that are relevant from those that are not.
• Synthesis and evaluation: critically examine and independently formulate the best arguments for variety of positions and look for their weakest parts, evaluate views and arguments of others tolerantly and openly, conceptualize her own mental activity.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Transferable/Key Skills and other attributes:
• Communication skills: writing expression at completing colloquiums, writing expression at making a seminar, writing expression at doing house works, oral expression at collaborating in a discussion, presentation.
• Use of information technology: search for information on the internet.
• Problem solving: scientific-philosophical problems.
Readings
Kim, J. (2018). Philosophy of Mind (3rd ed.). New York: Routledge
Bregant, J., Markič, O. (ur.) (2007). Narava mentalnih pojavov: klasični analitični teksti. Šentilj: Aristej.
Bennet, J. (2001). Learning from Six Philosophers (Vol. 1 and Vol. 2). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Chalmers, D. (1996). The Conscious Mind. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Miščević, N., Markič, O. (1998). Fizično in psihično. Šentilj: Aristej.
Sovre, A. (1988). Predsokratiki. Ljubljana: Slovenska matica.
Vorländer, K. (1968-1977). Zgodovina filozofije. Ljubljana: Slovenska matica.
Prerequisits
Prerequisites for attending the course:
None.
Prerequisites for completing the course:
Each of the mentioned commitments must be assessed with a passing grade.
Passing grade of seminar work is required for taking the written colloquium.
At least 75% attendance at lectures and 75% attendance at tutorials is required.
Additional information on implementation and assessment • Written exam (written exam can be substituted by two midterm exams with passing grades);
? Completed seminar with presentation, attendance and active collaboration.
Each of the mentioned commitments must be assessed with a positive grade.
