PHIL 399 - Seminar on Living Philosopher

FDR: HU
Credits: 3
Planned Offering: Winter.

Prerequisite: Restricted to philosophy majors or minors with at least junior standing. Philosophy has a long and distinguished history. It is also an amazingly lively and active area of current research. In this seminar, students engage in an in-depth examination of the work of a major contemporary philosopher, including relevant material from other authors. Toward the end of the term, that philosopher will visit campus for a few days to meet with students in class and give a lecture open to the university at large. Students will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with, and critique the ideas of, someone at the forefront of the field. This course may be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.

Topic for Winter 2012:

PHIL 399-01: Seminar on Living Philosopher: Andy Clark (3). Prerequisite: Restricted to philosophy majors or minors with at least junior standing. Philosophy has a long and distinguished history. It is also an amazingly lively and active area of current research. In this seminar, students engage in an in-depth examination of the work of a major contemporary philosopher, including relevant material from other authors. This term we explore the philosophy of Andy Clark. A philosopher of mind, cognitive scientist, and natural-born cyborg, Clark is currently Professor of Philosophy and Chair in Logic and Metaphysics at the University of Edinburgh. He has written extensively on embodied and extended cognition (the role of our bodies and environments in mind and thinking) and our natural cyborg nature (the role of language and technology in mind and thinking). His views are cutting edge and controversial; we read books and papers not just from Clark but also from his collaborators and critics. Clark will visit W&L March 5-9, 2012. He will participate in class, have meals and informal discussions with students, and give a public lecture. (HU) Gregory.