Topics in Metaphysics and Philosophy of Mind

Mandatory course in the master’s program in philosophy. Can also be taken as a single course.

In this course, the students are introduced to a selection of central topics within metaphysics and the philosophy of mind. The specific topics may vary from year to year, depending on the areas of expertise of the lecturer(s) and the students’ interests. Topics might include for example:

• Causation: What is it for one thing to be the cause of another? Is causation to be understood as something "more" than particularly fundamental regularities. If so, what is the extra ingredient here? How, if at all, is causation related to counterfactuals?
• Free will: Do human beings have free will? More fundamentally: what does it mean to ascribe free will to an individual, and is this compatible with taking their actions to be, in some sense, predetermined?
• Existence/being: What does it mean to say of something that it exists? Is it to ascribe a particular property ("existence") to it (analogous to saying, e.g., that it is red)? How can we settle debates about what exists (e.g. debates about whether numbers exist or whether societies exist "over and above" the individuals that make them up)?
• The metaphysics of mind and mental states: What are mental states like beliefs and desires? Can they be equated with specific physical states/processes like brain states? Should they perhaps be thought of in terms of the functional role that such physical processes play? Or does accounting for mental states require us to give up the idea that reality can be fully understood as a purely physical system?

The course will draw on a mix of historical and contemporary sources, and aims to provide students with a solid understanding of the current state of philosophical research into the topics that are discussed.

Bachelor’s degree with a specialization of at least 80 credits in philosophy or equivalent. Basic knowledge of history of philosophy is recommended.

Application code 9371

Knowledge

The student has:

• in-depth knowledge of several central debates within metaphysics and the philosophy of mind.
• insight into how certain contemporary debates in metaphysics and the philosophy of mind are informed by key ideas in the history of philosophy.
• specialized knowledge of the topic in their own essay.

Skills

The student can:

• assess the strengths and weaknesses of the central positions and arguments related to certain questions within metaphysics and the philosophy of mind.
• apply a range of advanced concepts from metaphysics and the philosophy of mind.
• discuss some key contributions to metaphysics and the philosophy of mind from both the history of philosophy and contemporary research.
• write an advanced critical essay on a topic from metaphysics or philosophy of mind.

Competence

The student is able to:

• discuss one’s own ideas and the ideas of others in a critical, but constructive and respectful way.
• work systematically in order to finish an essay on time and meet agreed-upon deadlines along the way.
• read difficult philosophical texts.

Anbefalte forkunnskaper

FIL-1030 History of Philosophy I, FIL-1031 History of Philosophy II, FIL-2051 Mind, knowledge, and reality

Language of instruction and examination

Lectures: English

Exam: English, Norwegian, or other Scandinavian language

This course is open to incoming exchange students.

Study Level: Master's

This course has admission prerequisites, which are listed under the Admission requirements section. Please review this information carefully before adding the course to your Learning Agreement.

For details on how to apply for exchange, course selection guidelines, or to contact the Incoming Admissions Team, please visit: Admissions for Student Exchange.

More info about the coursework requirements

More info about the assignment

Individual term paper of 3200 - 4000 words (8-10 pages). The topic and problem for the term paper are clarified with the lecturer(s).

Your term paper is the foundation of the exam. It is graded on how well you:

• Show understanding of the relevant knowledge and theories.
• Build convincing and well-structured arguments.
• Present your ideas clearly and precisely.

If the paper does not meet the minimum requirements (fail), the exam cannot be completed, and you will not proceed to the oral examination.

More info about the oral exam

Individual oral exam where both the term paper and other parts of the syllabus are discussed.

The oral exam is an opportunity to further develop and defend your work. The grade you received on the term paper can be adjusted here, primarily based on:

• How well you can explain and justify the theoretical choices and arguments made in your term paper.
• How well you can show critical knowledge of the course topics discussed in class and covered in the syllabus.
• The oral can confirm, raise, or lower the grade from the term paper, depending on your performance.

Re-sit examination

Which parts of the exam must be taken during a new ordinary exam attempt?