FIL2108 – The Philosophy of Psychology
Course description
Course content
In this course, you will engage in more depth with issues in the philosophy of mind as well as with philosophical questions at the foundations of scientific psychology, cognitive science, and the neurosciences. It focuses on core topics in the philosophy of psychology and cognitive science.
On the one hand, the course will engage with philosophical questions **about** psychology. We will, for example, consider the nature of psychological explanation, the relationship between psychological and neuroscientific explanations, the nature and the role of mental representations, predictive coding and Bayesian models of the brain.
On the other hand, we will look at how, if at all, psychological research can help to answer traditional philosophical questions. Case studies may include: rationality, animal minds, the nature of concepts, psychiatric disorders, the self, moral psychology, or consciousness.
We will consider questions like these: Do chimpanzees, birds, or lobsters feel pain? How can we study consciousness scientifically? Are we, humans, rational (could science show that we are not)? What does the theory evolution tell us about the way we think and act? Does thinking happen in a kind of language? What can brain imaging tell us about the mind? Does cognition happen only in the brain, or might it be "extended" to include the body and environment? What is the relationship between our cognitive and our social capacities? How should we understand implicit attitudes and implicit bias?
Learning outcome
The aim is to give the participants:
- an in-depth knowledge of some central issues in philosophy of psychology and cognitive science
- the ability to analyse different philosophical views on the topics covered
- the ability to express themselves in academic forms, both orally and in writing.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
Recommended previous knowledge
A basic knowledge in philosophy of mind as offered in FIL1001 – Innf?ring i metafysikk og bevissthetsfilosofi.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with FIL2101 – Fordypning - Bevissthetsfilosofi (discontinued).
- 5 credits overlap with FIL2105 – Metaphysics/Philosophy of Mind (discontinued).
Teaching
12 double sessions which will be a combination of seminars and lectures.
The course has the following compulsory tuition activities:
- An obligatory draft of the term paper which is to be submitted in Canvas
The compulsory activities are only valid the semester you complete the course.
How to apply for valid absence from obligatory activity / mandatory presence.
Examination
A term paper of 10-12 pages (one page should contain approximately 2300 characters), notes and references not included. You submit your exam in Inspera.
All compulsory activities must be accepted as satisfactory in order to qualify for the exam.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.