PHIL-250-001 C.Dority 2022S-term1.pdf - Minds and Machines ...

Minds and Machines, PHIL 250 Syllabus
Course Information
PHIL 250 001: Minds and Machines (3 credits)
Summer Term 1
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Instructor: Chase Dority, [email protected]
Office Hours
Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:00am-11:00am (otherwise by appointment), Zoom
Course Description
This course will examine the nature of consciousness, mind, and the self, especially in
relation to recent advances in science and technology. In the first part of the course, we
will look at a combination of philosophical arguments and empirical evidence for general
frameworks that have traditionally been proposed for understanding the relationship
between consciousness, the mind, and the physical body and brain. In the second part of
the course, we will turn our attention to developments in science and technology,
especially in neuroscience, computational/digital technologies, and artificial intelligence.
We will ask about some of the theoretical, social, and ethical implications these
developments carry—can (and should) a machine be programmed to be conscious, and
how would we know if we succeeded? Can (and should) our consciousness be uploaded
to a computer, and what does this mean for our relationship with our bodies? Can (and
should) we have intimate relationships and/or engage in sexual activity with humanoid
robots? The course will proceed through a combination of lecture and class discussion.
Assessment
3 weekly reflections (500-750 words, 10 points each, 30 points total)
Short paper (1000-1500 words, 30 points) due June 6
Final Project (2000-2500 words, or other option, 40 points) due June 24
Attendance and Participation
Course attendance is expected, and participation in class discussion is highly encouraged.
It is also expected that you will read/watch the assigned material by the beginning of
class.
Course Readings and Material
* This is a tentative list of course content, and as such, the readings and other material are
subject to change before the syllabus is finalized.
There is no assigned textbook for this course. All the course materials will be provided
through Canvas via the library online course reserves, or links to external sources.