Unit information: Aristotle's Mind and Metaphysics in 2010/11

Unit name	Aristotle's Mind and Metaphysics
Unit code	PHIL30091
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Pearson
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Philosophy
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The unit will consider aspects of Aristotle's philosophy of mind and metaphysics. Philosophy of mind topics covered will be (some of): the mind-body problem, perception, imagination (phantasia), memory, dreams, though, and the role of desire in locomotion. Metaphysics topics will be (some of): fatalism, time, being, essence, truth, form, matter, nature, causation, and chance.

Aims:

(1) To provide detailed examination of certain topics in Aristotles philosophy of mind and metaphysics.

(2) To encourage the students ability to engage critically with Aristotles views on these matters.

(3) To encourage the students ability to engage critically with various secondary literature on Aristotles views.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course, students should:

(1) have a good knowledge of various key aspects of Aristotles philosophy of mind and metaphysics.

(2) be able to evaluate Aristotles views on these topics.

(3) be able to engage critically with secondary literature on these topics.

Teaching Information

10 x 1 hour lecture plus 20 x 1 hour seminar.

Assessment Information

• Formative: 1 essay of 3500 words

• Summative: 3-hour written exam

Reading and References

• Ackrill J., A New Aristotle Reader, Clarendon Press, Oxford (first edition 1987, on any later reprint).

• M. Nussbaum and A.Rorty, Essays on Aristotles De Anima, Clarendon, orig. 1992, but the 1997 paperback reprint contains an additional article by Burnyeat.

• G., Anagnostopoulos, A Companion to Aristotle, Blackwell, 2009