Course Objectives

Methods of Teaching

Assessment and Presentation

Reading

Lecture Slides 2009

Lecture Slides 2008

Lecture Slides 2004

Feedbackon Essays 2009

What is it to be an intelligent, embodied person? One common view is that mind and body belong to two different metaphysical realms, fused together in us as if we were a combined 'ghost in the machine' (to use the famous words of philosopher Gilbert Ryle, 50 years ago). Few people believe such a view can work (maybe Sting does!) - but what should replace it?

We will look at a number different 'materialist' theories, concentrating on variants of the computer model, and on neurophysiologically based accounts of mind. In doing so, we will examine some of the basic issues underlying cognitive science as an interdisciplinary study of the mind, taking in topics from psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, evolutionary theory, biology and philosophy along the way.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Expect to take in a wide range of fascinating subjects before the end of term.