PP2MM: Meaning and the Mind

Module code: PP2MM

Module provider: Philosophy; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Jumbly Grindrod, email: j.grindrod@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

How does something (like a human or an animal) have a mind? How does something (like a sentence or a thought) have meaning? Does answering one of these questions require that we answer the other? After all, at least some mental states appear to be identified by what they mean. In this module, the student will be introduced to some of the core philosophical issues in the philosophy of language and the philosophy of mind. In doing so, we will consider questions such as:

• How can there be minds in a physical world?
• How does a mental state (like a memory or a perceptual experience) come to represent the world?
• What role does consciousness play in the mind?

We will investigate these questions by reading and discussing a range of philosophical texts, including works by the likes of Gottlob Frege, Saul Kripke, Hilary Putnam, Frank Jackson, and Jaegwon Kim.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Discuss and analyse some of the core arguments in philosophy of mind, including with historical reference to the figures who originally formulated those arguments
2. Identify the conceptual links between linguistic meaning and the nature of the mind
3. Identify how philosophical argumentation can prove relevant to empirical disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, and linguistics
4. Research a philosophical topic, particularly with the use of journal articles and other academic texts

Module content

The content of this module is broadly split into two halves. First, the module focuses on foundational issues in the philosophy of language, including the sense/reference distinction, the nature of singular reference and singular thought, the semantics of names, and semantic externalism. The module then turns its focus to central issues in the philosophy of mind, including dualism versus physicalism, the nature of consciousness, functionalism about the mind, and whether consciousness is reducible to intentionality (or vice versa).

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The lectures are an opportunity for the lecturer to introduce a new topic for that week, with a brief overview of some of the key considerations and arguments that are relevant. Typically, lectures are punctuated by opportunities to ask questions, offer answers, and discuss some issue with colleagues. Seminars are an opportunity for further group work, discussion, and debate, usually centred around a few core activities. The seminars also provide further opportunity to more closely inspect the required reading for that week. 

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will receive presubmission feedback ahead of submitting each of their written assignments.

Students will regularly be able to ask questions on question boards

Students will be able to receive feedback on their essay plans.

Reassessment

Additional costs