| Unit name | Ancient Epistemology and Mind |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL30083 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
The course considers two influential texts in ancient philosophy: Plato&�s Theaetetus (on knowledge) and Aristotle&�s De Anima (on mind). After citing the influence of the Theaetetus on e.g. Berkeley, Leibniz, Wittgenstein, and contemporary epistemology, Myles Burnyeat comments: $�No other dialogue of Plato&�s speaks so directly to the concerns of the working philosopher in modern times [$�] The Theaetetus is [$�] a work to which the philosopher can return time and again to find a challenge or stimulus to reflection&�. We will engage in a close reading of the text and expect to be stimulated. The relation of De Anima to contemporary work is controversial. Putnam thought that Aristotle was the first to develop a version of Putnam&�s own $�functionalist&� approach to the philosophy of mind. Others have contested this. Either way, Aristotle&�s $�hylomorphic&� account of the soul warrants careful consideration since he too developed his theory in response to prevailing materialist and dualist views. Aristotle also provides individual accounts of perception, imagination, thought, and the role of desire in action, and the course will examine these in detail as well.
