Introduction to the philosophies of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

An introduction to ancient Greek philosophy through study of Plato, Aristotle, and the most important of the schools of thought that succeeded them (Epicureans, Stoics, and Sceptics). These ancient philosophers set the agenda for many of the questions still thought fundamental to philosophic inquiry, but approached them in a spirit different from that typical of modern philosophy. They thought of philosophy as a way of life; indeed, the best way. Readings will include Plato, "Republic" (entire); Aristotle, "Physics" and "Ethics" (selections); Lucretius, "The Way Things Are" (entire); and selections from Stoic and Sceptic philosophers.

All we know comes to us via our consciousness — experience or awareness of thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. However, it is a deep mystery as to how physical processes of our brain and body relate to subjective experience of mind. In this course, we invite students to embark on an investigation of mind and consciousness that will explore territory beyond the metaphysical framework of physicalism (or materialism) that currently dominates contemporary science. Our exploration is grounded in biophysical science and psychology, but extends into anthropology and religious studies. We will explore what forms of speech and writing might help us think about consciousness beyond the narrow limits imposed by the currently dominant paradigm.

Humans from all cultures and time-periods have been found to engage in linguistic and musical activity, but why do humans universally engage in these unique and complex behaviors? Do music and language play important roles in individual cognitions and social interactions, and if so, in what ways? What relationships exist between music and language perception, processing, and action? And what does the study of music and language reveal about the unique nature of human mental and social life? Questions such as these have fascinated philosophers for thousands of years and continue to excite cognitive scientists and other scholars to this day. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the landscape of contemporary research on music and language, especially from embodied and usage-based approaches in cognitive science. In this course we will cover basic concepts in the study of language cognition including phonemes (the sounds that form languages), morphemes (words and their component parts), syntactic structures (sentences and their component parts), literal meaning (semantics), figurative or nonliteral meaning (including metaphors and slurs), and speech acts (pragmatics). We will also cover basic concepts in the study of music cognition including pitch, chroma, timbre, consonance, dissonance, key, tonality, atonality, melody, beat, meter, tempo, and rhythm. Throughout this course we will cover a range of interesting topics about music and language while using each topic to explore the similarities and differences that exist between musical and linguistic domains. For example, some of the language and music-relevant topics to be explored in this course include the brain and cognitive processes involved in linguistic structure and meaning, the brain and cognitive processes involved in musical structure and meaning, evolutionary theories of language and music, generative theories of language (Generative Grammar) and music (Generative Theory of Tonal Music), non-generative (embodied and usage-based) theories of language and music, similarities and differences in the structure (syntax) of language and music, similarities and differences in the meaning (semantics) of language and music, similarities and differences in the practical use (pragmatics) of language and music, the time course of cognitive development for language and music in children and adults, cross-cultural differences in language and music cognition, and the nature of creativity in linguistic and musical performances (for example, in improvised spoken-word poetry and jazz improvisation). By completing this course students will gain insight into some of the most fascinating areas of research in cognitive science today and will develop a better understanding of the central roles that music and language play in human mental and social life.

Introduction to the philosophy of mind. Topics to be considered may include the relation between mind and body; the structure of action; the nature of desires and beliefs; the role of the unconscious.

Introduction to the philosophy of mind. Topics to be considered may include the relation between mind and body; the structure of action; the nature of desires and beliefs; the role of the unconscious.

Introduction to the philosophy of mind. Topics to be considered may include the relation between mind and body; the structure of action; the nature of desires and beliefs; the role of the unconscious.

Introduction to the philosophy of mind. Topics to be considered may include the relation between mind and body; the structure of action; the nature of desires and beliefs; the role of the unconscious.

Introduction to the philosophy of mind. Topics to be considered may include the relation between mind and body; the structure of action; the nature of desires and beliefs; the role of the unconscious.

Introduction to the philosophy of mind. Topics to be considered may include the relation between mind and body; the structure of action; the nature of desires and beliefs; the role of the unconscious.