FIL4100 – Metaphysics/Philosophy of Mind

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

The content of the course will vary from year to year, but it will be based on current central problems within metaphysics and/or the philosophy of mind. The seminar will be based on philosophical texts, current relevant research articles and original texts.

Spring 26 the topic will be as follows:

This course asks a simple but deep philosophical?question: could advanced AI systems really have minds? We will examine what "understanding" is and whether today’s AIs genuinely understand or just parrot convincing outputs. We’ll explore if AI could have goals and desires, emotions, or consciousness, and what would count as good evidence for or against these claims. We’ll also ask whether AI could feel pain or pleasure and so be welfare subjects. Are they beings that can be harmed or benefited for their own sake? Throughout, we’ll connect classic debates in metaphysics and philosophy of mind with cutting edge AI research. ?

Learning outcome

After having completed the course, the student is expected to

  • have a good knowledge of the course literature
  • be able to acquire and critically relate to relevant research within the field
  • be able to discuss topics and problems within metaphysics and/or philosophy of mind in a critical and philosophical way

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Requires admission to the Philosophy (master).

Previous knowledge in either philosophy of mind or metaphysics depending on the exact topic of the course is recommended.

Teaching

10 double sessions which are a combination of seminars and lectures. The teaching will take place more or less intensively during the