Dramatic advances in neuroscience have transformed our understanding of the biology and dynamics of brain function. This unit will begin with an intensive investigation of these advances. The unit will then consider problems in the philosophy of neuroscience such as: is it better to consider the brain as a computational/representational system or as a dynamical system; the nature of mechanistic explanations in the neurosciences; and whether the relationship between neuroscience and psychology should be thought of in terms of reduction or co-evolution. The unit introduces some recent advances in neurophilosophy, such as: philosophy of emotion, social cognition and moral cognition. -- Course Website
Instructor: Dr Richard Menary
Prerequisites: (8cp in PHL or PSY units at 300 level) or 42cp in LAW units at 400 or 500 level) and a GPA of 3.0 or admission to MA or PGDipArts or PGCertArts
