Admission requirements
Sufficient background in philosophy
Description
Aristotle’s De anima is by far the most influential work in the history of philosophical psychology. Despite Descartes’s efforts of getting rid of the Aristotelian tradition once and for all, philosophers continued to developed Aristotle’s views of the soul, or: mind, body relation, even up to this day. It is, however, not an easy work to interpret. Aristotle has been read as defending functionalism, emergentism, a sui generis theory, and even substance dualism. In other words, name a theory in philosophy of mind and it has probably been attributed to Aristotle at some point. How is this possible? This seminar explores the question by turning to the medieval commentary tradition on the De anima . The medieval commentators developed and transformed Aristotle’s sometimes sketchy ideas into competing sophisticated psychological theories. Topics include the difference between soul and mind, the nature of the soul body relation, the interactions between sense cognition and abstract thought, and the possibility of self-knowledge. Turning to the medieval commentary tradition also allows us to address a methodological question: to what extent is it useful to apply contemporary labels such as functionalism to ancient and medieval views. Do these help us or hinder us?
Course objectives
Course objectives will be posted on Blackboard by the start of the course.
Timetable
Friday, 13:00-16:00
See Collegeroosters Wijsbegeerte 2011-2012 , Master’s Programmes in Philosophy (Dutch website)
See Timetables Philosophy 2011-2012 , Master’s Programmes in Philosophy (English website)
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
- Final paper
Blackboard
Yes
Reading list
A list of seminar readings will be made available.
Registration
Please register for this course on uSis.
Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.
Contact information
Remarks
Specialisation (MA Philosophy): History and Philosophy of the Sciences
Specialisations (MA Philosophy of a Specific Discipline): Philosophy of Humanities, Philosophy of Psychology