PHIL 4300/5300

Fall 2002

Bob Hanna
 

Please write an 8-10 pp. (undergraduates) or 10-12 pp. (graduate students) paper on one of the following topics. All papers must be submitted in hard copy, typed, and double-spaced; and all pages of text must be consecutively numbered. Electronic versions of papers sent as e-mail attachments will not be accepted. Due date: October 8.
 

(1) Phenomenal Consciousness.
 

What is phenomenal consciousness and why is it philosophically important? First, briefly spell out and explicate the basic points of Thomas Nagel's conception of consciousness in "What is it like to be a Bat"? Second, briefly spell out and explicate the basic points of Ned Block's distinction between phenomenal consciousness, access consciousness, self-consciousness, and monitoring consciousness in "Concepts of Consciousness." Third, answer the following question and give detailed reasons for your answer: In light of the Nagel-Block conception of phenomenal consciousness, is phenomenal consciousness reducible to either access consciousness, self-consciousness, or monitoring consciousness?
 

(2) Intentionality.
 

What is intentionality and why is it philosophically important? First, briefly spell out and explicate the basic points of Franz Brentano's conception of intentionality in "The Distinction between Mental and Physical Phenomena." Second, briefly spell out and explicate the basic points of Roderick Chisholm's conception of intentionality in "Intentional Inexistence." Third, answer the following question and give detailed reasons for your answer: In light of the Brentano-Chisholm conception of intentionality, is intentionality the criterion (i.e., the essence) of the mental?
 

(3) Phenomenal Consciousness and Intentionality.
 

Are phenomenal consciousness and intentionality essentially related? In "The Intentionality of Phenomenology and the Phenomenology of Intentionality," Terence Horgan and John Tienson argue that they are essentially related. First, briefly spell out and explicate the basic steps of Horgan & Tienson's arguments for the Intentionality of Phenomenology thesis and the Phenomenology of Intentionality thesis. Second, briefly spell out and explicate the basic steps of Horgan & Tienson's arguments for the Phenomenal Intentionality thesis and the Narrowness of Phenomenology and of Phenomenal Intentionality thesis. Third, answer the following question and give detailed reasons for your answer: Are Horgan & Tienson's four theses true?
 

(4) Cartesian Substance Dualism.
 

Are minds and bodies essentially different substances that nevertheless causally interact? First, briefly spell out and explicate the basic steps of René Descartes's argument in the second Meditation for the thesis that he is essentially a thinking thing. Second, briefly spell out and explicate the basic steps of Descartes's arguments in the sixth Meditation for the "real distinction between the mind and the body" and for causal interactionism (you can also use the excerpts from the Passions of the Soul). Third, answer the following question and give detailed reasons for your answer: Is Cartesian substance dualism true?
 

(5) Logical Behaviorism and Putnam's Critique.
 

Is the mind nothing but a set of animal behavioral states and/or dispositions to behave? First, briefly spell out and explicate the basic points of Gilbert Ryle's critique of dualism in "Descartes' Myth" and Carnap's doctrine of logical behaviorism in "Psychology in Physical Language." Second, briefly spell out and explicate the basic steps of Hilary Putnam's argument against logical behaviorism in "Brains and Behavior." Third, answer the following question and give detailed reasons for your answer: Does Putnam's argument refute logical behaviorism?