PHIL41450 The Myth of the Given

Academic Year 2017/2018

In 1956 the American philosopher Wilfrid Sellars delivered three lectures on "The Myth of the Given," published as "Empiricism and the Philosophy of Mind" (EPM). This is widely recognised to be one of the most important works in 20th century philosophy, and this seminar will be structured around our reading of this complex but exciting text. In the first half of EPM Sellars famously criticized the idea of the Given: roughly, the idea that there exists any form of awareness that is knowledge-yielding just in virtue of having that awareness, independently of what Sellars called "the logical space of reasons." Our examination of this issue will introduce students to some key themes in 20th century perceptual epistemology and theories of intentionality. We will follow Sellars in providing the sort of rich historical background that has made his work compelling to current philosophers from all traditions, analytic, continental, and historical; and we will also explore contemporary debates on these issues among philosophers influenced by or criticising Sellars. The second half of EPM then asks the question: if no knowledge is Given or "immediate" in the above sense, then how do we account for our non-inferential knowledge of our own thoughts and sensations? Here Sellars is widely recognized to have made revolutionary contributions to the Philosophy of Mind, offering a non-reductive view of the nature of thoughts that is nonetheless consistent with a comprehensive scientific naturalism. The seminar will thus serve as an introduction to fundamental themes in epistemology and philosophy of mind throughout the 20th century to today.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students will emerge from this module with an understanding of some of the most important debates and arguments in 20th century epistemology and the philosophy of mind. They will also be able to situate these arguments in relation to the history of philosophy and in relation to current disputes concerning consciousness, holism, 'folk psychology', the nature of intentionality, reductionism and scientific explanation, naturalism and normativity. The emphasis will be on a close reading of the text designed to bring out the fundamental concepts and arguments that Sellars marshals in support of his claims. The two essays will be designed to allow students to take their own position on some of the important issues raised: the first being a shorter, analytical essay on the text of EPM, the second, longer essay allowing the student to formulate their own research topic on either contemporary or interpretive disputes.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Autonomous Student Learning

226

Total

250

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.



 
Description % of Final Grade Timing
Essay: Final Essay

65

Coursework (End of Trimester)
Essay: First Essay

35

Week 6

Compensation

This module is not passable by compensation

Resit Opportunities

In-semester assessment

Remediation

If you fail, you may resit, repeat or substitue where permissable.