Learning objectives
By the end of the class the student will be able:
1. To understand and explain different aspects of the philosophical problem of consciousness;
2. to understand and explain different at least two specific problems characterizing the current debate like dreaming, minimal self-consciousness, mind wandering, the problem of “pure” consciousness;
3. to explain and communicate the normative dimension of modern consciousness research, for example with regard to new ethical and legal problems arising from new technologies.
Prerequisites
The willingness to read at least one English text in preparation for very session.
Course unit content
The Problem of Consciousness in Current Philosophy of Mind.
This course will offer a short introduction into the problem of consciousness as discussed in modern philosophy of mind and cognitive science. In a second step, it will then establish connections to the current debate by looking at specific problems like minimal self-consciousness, mind wandering, the problem of “pure” consciousness, and new problems for applied ethics resulting from new technologies (like virtual reality or artificial intelligence) emerging from interdisciplinary research into the deep structure of the human mind.
Full programme
The Problem of Consciousness in Current Philosophy of Mind
This course will offer a short introduction into the problem of consciousness as discussed in modern philosophy of mind and cognitive science. In a second step, it will then establish connections to the current debate by looking at specific problems like minimal self-consciousness, mind wandering, the problem of “pure” consciousness, and new problems for applied ethics resulting from new technologies (like virtual reality or artificial intelligence) emerging from interdisciplinary research into the deep structure of the human mind.
• Metzinger, T. (2010d). Il tunnel dell'io. Scienza della mente e il mito del soggetto. Rom: Raffaello Cortina Editore. Chapter 2.
• Metzinger, T. (1995b). Introduction: The Problem of Consciousness. In Conscious Experience. Thorverton: Imprint Academic & Paderborn: mentis.
• Metzinger, T. (2000d). Introduction: Consciousness Research at the End of the Twentieth Century. In Metzinger 2000b.
• Metzinger, T. (2003a). Being No One. The Self-Model Theory of Subjectivity. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Sections 2.4 & 3.2
• Metzinger, T. (2008a). Empirical perspectives from the self-model theory of subjectivity: A brief summary with examples. In Rahul Banerjee and Bikas K. Chakrabarti (eds.), Progress in Brain Research, 168: 215-246. Amsterdam: Elsevier
• Metzinger, T. (2009f; with O. Blanke). Full-body illusions and minimal phenomenal selfhood. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 13(1): 7-13.
• Metzinger, T. (2003g, with Vittorio Gallese). The emergence of a shared action ontology: building blocks for a theory. In G. Knoblich, B. Elsner, G. von Aschersleben, und T. Metzinger (eds), Self and Action. Special issue of Consciousness & Cognition (12:4), December 2003, 549-571.
• Thompson, E. (2015). Dreamless Sleep, the Embodied Mind, and Consciousness - The Relevance of a Classical Indian Debate to Cognitive Science. In T. Metzinger & J. M. Windt (Eds). Open MIND: 37(T). Frankfurt am Main: MIND Group. / Windt, J. M. (2015). Just in Time—Dreamless Sleep Experience as Pure Subjective Temporality – A Commentary on Evan Thompson. In T. Metzinger & J. M. Windt (Eds). Open MIND: 37(C). Frankfurt am Main: MIND Group.
• Windt, J. M., Nielsen, T., & Thompson, E. (2016). Does consciousness disappear in dreamless sleep? Trends in cognitive sciences, 20(12), 871-882.
• Mannino, A., Althaus, D., Erhardt, J., Gloor, L., Hutter, A. and Metzinger, T. (2015). Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Risks. Policy paper by the Effective Altruism Foundation 2: 1-16.
• Madary, M. & Metzinger, T. (2016g). Real Virtuality: A Code of Ethical Conduct. Recommendations for Good Scientific Practice and the Consumers of VR-Technology. Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 3 (3). doi: 10.3389/frobt.2016.00003
Bibliography
•Metzinger, T. (2010d). Il tunnel dell'io. Scienza della mente e il mito del soggetto. Rom: Raffaello Cortina Editore. Chapter 2.
•Metzinger, T. (1995b). Introduction: The Problem of Consciousness. In Conscious Experience. Thorverton: Imprint Academic & Paderborn: mentis.
•Metzinger, T. (2000d). Introduction: Consciousness Research at the End of the Twentieth Century. In Metzinger 2000b.
•Metzinger, T. (2003a). Being No One. The Self-Model Theory of Subjectivity. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Sections 2.4 & 3.2
•Metzinger, T. (2008a). Empirical perspectives from the self-model theory of subjectivity: A brief summary with examples. In Rahul Banerjee and Bikas K. Chakrabarti (eds.), Progress in Brain Research, 168: 215-246. Amsterdam: Elsevier
•Metzinger, T. (2009f; with O. Blanke). Full-body illusions and minimal phenomenal selfhood. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 13(1): 7-13.
•Metzinger, T. (2003g, with Vittorio Gallese). The emergence of a shared action ontology: building blocks for a theory. In G. Knoblich, B. Elsner, G. von Aschersleben, und T. Metzinger (eds), Self and Action. Special issue of Consciousness & Cognition (12:4), December 2003, 549-571.
•Thompson, E. (2015). Dreamless Sleep, the Embodied Mind, and Consciousness - The Relevance of a Classical Indian Debate to Cognitive Science. In T. Metzinger & J. M. Windt (Eds). Open MIND: 37(T). Frankfurt am Main: MIND Group. / Windt, J. M. (2015). Just in Time—Dreamless Sleep Experience as Pure Subjective Temporality – A Commentary on Evan Thompson. In T. Metzinger & J. M. Windt (Eds). Open MIND: 37(C). Frankfurt am Main: MIND Group.
•Windt, J. M., Nielsen, T., & Thompson, E. (2016). Does consciousness disappear in dreamless sleep? Trends in cognitive sciences, 20(12), 871-882.
•Mannino, A., Althaus, D., Erhardt, J., Gloor, L., Hutter, A. and Metzinger, T. (2015). Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Risks. Policy paper by the Effective Altruism Foundation 2: 1-16.
•Madary, M. & Metzinger, T. (2016g). Real Virtuality: A Code of Ethical Conduct. Recommendations for Good Scientific Practice and the Consumers of VR-Technology. Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 3 (3). doi: 10.3389/frobt.2016.00003
Teaching methods
Lectures in combination with discussion periods and at least one student presentation per day.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written text. Criteria of Evaluation. Less than 18: Insufficient
comprehension of the topics, insufficient expository clarity and
insufficient competence in the use of the philosophical vocabulary.
Threshold for 18: sufficient comprehension
of the topics, sufficient expository clarity and sufficient competence in
the use of the philosophical vocabulary. Threshold for 24: discrete
comprehension of the topics, discrete expository clarity and discrete
competence in the use of the philosophical vocabulary. Threshold for 27:
good comprehension of the topics, good expository clarity and good
competence in the use of the philosophical vocabulary. Threshold for 30:
excellent comprehension of the topics, excellent expository clarity and
excellent competence in the use of the philosophical vocabulary.
Threshold for 30 cum laude: as for 30, plus elements of originality (e.g.
critical assessment of the course topics) and/or particularly in-depth
analysis of the course topics
Other information
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