80-270 Problems of Mind and Body: Meaning and Doing

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

Where does meaning and doing come from? How does the mind relate to the physical world? This course traces the central debate in philosophy of mind over the past four hundred years, from Descartes' substance dualism through twentieth-century behaviorism, identity theory, and functionalism, to the contemporary debate about phenomenal consciousness. By the end of the course, students should be able to articulate the strongest versions of each position, state the key objections, and defend a considered view of their own. Each lecture will contain a discussion of the relevance of this traditional philosophical treatment to artificial intelligence and the basis of thought in the brain.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Fall 2026

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