Vår 2026

FIL-2051 Mind, knowledge, and reality - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Institutt for filosofi og førstesemesterstudier

Type of course

The course is included as an elective and in-depth course in the bachelor's degree program in philosophy and is a specialization within the discipline of philosophy of mind.

Course overlap

FIL-1026 Metaphysics and the Philosophy of Mind 10 ects

Course contents

The first part of the course gives a broad introduction to central questions in the philosophy of mind, including: What is the nature of mental states such as sensations and beliefs? How is the mind related to the body? And how is it that some mental states such as beliefs and fears can have a content, or "be about" something?

The philosophy of mind is naturally intertwined with metaphysics and epistemology. The second part of the course, therefore, goes more deeply into selected topics relating to knowledge and the nature of reality. The focus of this part of the course varies depending on the expertise of the lecturer, but typical topics include: Do human beings have free will? Are we living in a computer simulation? What is personal identity? Can we have knowledge of a "mind-independent" reality, or is the world we have access to inevitably shaped by how we think about it and experience it?

Admission requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse) or prior learning and work experience (realkompetanse).

Application code: 9199 - Enkeltemner (ikke realfag), lavere grad (Nordic applicants).

Objective of the course

Knowledge

The student has:

insight into some of the central questions in the philosophy of mind.
an overview of the main theories concerning the nature of mental states and the relationship between mind and body (e.g. dualism, the identity theory and functionalism)
an overview of influential arguments within the philosophy of mind.
an in-depth knowledge and insight into one or more selected topics from metaphysics and epistemology.

Skills

The student can:

explain and compare different theories, concepts, problems and methods from the philosophy of mind.
apply theories and concepts to relevant discussions.
assess the strengths and weaknesses of the theories.
communicate central problems within the field in an easy-to-understand manner.

Competence

The student is able to:

critically assess and defend philosophical argumentation.
speak up and participate in academic discussions.
reflect on and critically assess their own philosophical positions.

Language of instruction

Lectures: English

Exam: English, Norwegian, or another Scandinavian language

Teaching methods

There are 10-12 two-hour weekly teaching sessions, which will alternate between lectures and student-active seminars.