Topics in philosophy of mind

Basic Information

Course 2013/2014
Lecturer
David Pineda
Semester
2nd.
Department
Department of Philosophy
University
Universitat de Girona
Module
Module 6. Theories of Rationality
Code
570636
Credits
5
Language
English

Dates

Schedule
Tue. 11:00 -14:00
Location
Room 401, Fac. Filosofia, UB

Description

Aim:
The course will offer a survey and discussion of the main contemporary philosophical views on the nature of emotion and other affective phenomena with a view also to relevant scientific facts. Main philosophical topics involving emotions will also be discussed, such as the role of emotion on practical reasoning and the role of emotion in morality and aesthetics.

Structure:
• First five sessions: general introduction.
• Six next sessions: discussion of six readings.

Syllabus:
1. Affective phenomena: emotions, sentiments and moods.
2. The nature of emotion: cognitivist theories, Jamesian theories, affect program theory, social constructionism, psychological constructionism, multidimensional appraisal theory, the embodied appraisals theory.
3. Emotions and rationality: the role of emotions in the explanation of action; the somatic-marker hypothesis.
4. Emotions, morality and aesthetics: ethical rationalism, ethical emotionism, neo-sentimentalism, epistemic emotionism.

Methodology

• During the first five sessions the professor will introduce all the topics of the syllabus with a suggested bibliography.
• Each of the next six sessions will be devoted to the discussion of one of the six mandatory readings of the course. The readings will cover all of the topics of the course and will be selected among the most relevant recent philosophical published work on emotions. The readings will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Evaluation

• Paper of 4000 words which should be due by the end of June. After the five introductory sessions, the professor will distribute a list of topics together with a bibliographical selection for each topic.
• Active participation in the discussion sessions of the readings will also be taken into account.

Bibliography

• Solomon, R. (ed.) (2003): What is an Emotion? Classic and Contemporary Readings. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Solomon, R. (ed.) (2004): Thinking about Feeling. Contemporary Philosophers on Emotions. Oxford U. P.
• Goldie, P. (ed.) (2010): The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Emotion. Oxford University Press.
• Deonna, J. A. & Teroni, F. (2012): The Emotions. A Philosophical Introduction, Routledge.
• Davidson, R.J., Scherer, K.R. & Hill Goldsmith, H. (eds.) (2009): Handbook of Affective Sciences, Oxford University Press.