Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
| Bachelor in philosophy | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course is an introduction to key texts in the philosophy of mind from the mid-twentieth century onwards. Two things seem to resist all our definitions and explanations in purely physical terms, so that their nature appears mysterious: intentionality and consciousness. The first part of the course therefore takes up the question of intentionality: does intentionality allow us to distinguish mental phenomena from non-mental ones? And what is its origin? The second part turns to the question of consciousness: can consciousness be fully explained in purely physical terms? Can the mental have physical effects? Could LLMs become conscious?
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Identify and discuss the central concepts and debates in the philosophy of mind within the analytic tradition.
- Evaluate philosophical positions and formulate your own individual stance.
- Understand complex philosophical texts.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
-
Language(s) of instruction: English, French. Important: Passive understanding of English is required for the readings. Course explanations will be given in English, and several texts have not been translated in English; discussions will be in French.
-
Language(s) of examination: French (Erasmus students who wish to do so may take the exam in English).
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures, class discussions, readings.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
To help prepare for the final exam, you may consult the following texts (« secondary texts ») :
- Crane, Tim (2001). Elements of Mind: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Chapter 1.
- Kim, Jaegwon (2010). Philosophy of Mind. Boulder: Westview Press, Chapters 2-7, 9.
Semaine
Mode
Sujet
Lecture et préparation
Semaine 1 (14/09/2026)
hors-campus
-
-
Semaine 2 (21/09/2026)
présentiel
Introduction : fundamental issues in the philosophy of mind
Antony, Louise (2009). 'The mental and the physical'. In Le Poidevin et al. (eds), The Routledge Companion to Metaphysics. Routledge, pp. 555-567.
Semaine 3 (28/09/2026)
présentiel
The nature of intentionality
Chisholm, Roderick M. (1957). Perceiving: A Philosophical Study. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, pp. 168-85.
Secondaire : Crane (2001), Chapter 1
Semaine 4 (05/10/2026)
présentiel
Intentionality as representation
Searle, John R. (1983). Intentionality: An Essay in the Philosophy of Mind. New York: Cambridge University Press, pp. 1-19. - French translation available on eCampus
Secondaire : Crane (2001), Chapter 1
Semaine 5 (12/10/2026)
présentiel
Are all mental states intentional ? (E. Field)
Kriegel, Uriah (2019). The Intentional Structure of Moods. Philosophers' Imprint 19, pp.1-19.
Semaine 6 (19/10/2026)
présentiel
Does consciousness depend on intentionality, or vice versa ?
Mendelovici, Angela & Bourget, David (2014). Naturalizing Intentionality: Tracking Theories Versus Phenomenal Intentionality Theories. Philosophy Compass 9(5), pp. 325-337.
Semaine 7 (26/10/2026)
hors-campus
- Vacances (Toussaint)
Semaine 8 (02/11/2026)
présentiel
Cartesian dualism and behaviourism
Ryle, The Concept of Mind, Barnes & Noble, NY, pp. 11-22 ; 27-35 - French translation available on eCampus
Secondaire : Kim (2010), chapter 2, selected parts
Semaine 9 (09/11/2026)
présentiel
Mind as brain: identity theories
Smart, J. J. C. (1959). Sensations and Brain Processes. The Philosophical Review, 68(2), pp. 141-156.
Secondaire : Kim (2010), chapter 3, selected parts
Semaine 10 (16/11/2026)
présentiel
Mind as computer: functionalism
Lewis, David (1978). Mad pain and Martian pain. In Ned J. Block (ed), Readings in the Philosophy of Psychology. Cambridge, pp. 216-222. - French translation available on eCampus
Secondaire : Kim (2010), chapter 4/5, selected parts
Semaine 11 (23/11/2026)
présentiel
Phenomenal consciousness
(E. Field)
Nagel, Thomas (1974). What is it like to be a bat? Philosophical Review 83 (4), pp. 435-50. French translation available on eCampus
Secondaire : Kim (2010), chapter 7
Semaine 12 (30/11/2026)
présentiel
The main anti-physicalist arguments and the "hard problem" of consciousness
Levine, Joseph (1993). On Leaving Out What It's Like. In Davies & Humphreys (eds), On Leaving Out What It's Like. Blackwell, pp. 121-136. - French translation available on eCampus
Secondaire : Kim (2010), chapter 9
Semaine 13 (07/12/2026)
présentiel
Mind-Body causation
The Elisabeth of Bohemia correspondence with Descartes, May-June 1643 - French version available on eCampus
Secondaire : Kim (2010), chapter 6, selected parts
Semaine 14 (14/12/2026)
présentiel
Consciousness and Ai
Chalmers, David J. (2023). Could a large language model be conscious? Boston Review 1.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Continuous assessment
Further information:
The written exam will be conducted according to the following guidelines. Before each lesson, you will receive two questions related to the topic of the lesson. During the written exam, you will receive six questions, from which you must choose three (max. 1 page per answer) to answer within two hours. The full list of questions will be available on eCampus.
The exam will take place in person. No documents or electronic devices will be allowed.
Exam Preparation: Answers to certain questions will be discussed in class to help students prepare for the exam. Students who wish to do so may send their written answers to the instructor to receive feedback (ungraded).
Grading Scale (each answer is graded out of 20; the final mark is the average of the three answers):
- (i) Precision and consistency of terminology used (6 pts). The main technical terms are precisely defined upon their first appearance and used consistently.
- (ii) Reconstruction of the argument (6 pts). Premises and conclusion are explicitly and correctly identified. The line of reasoning is traced.
- (iii) Understanding of the topic (6 pts). The context and consequences of the main thesis or objection are accurately summarized and understood.
- (iv) Clarity of the text and structure (2 pts). Every sentence is complete and understandable. The response flows clearly and logically (context/introduction, main thesis, main arguments/main objections, consequences).
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Schedule and assigned readings: see "course plan" (downloadable below and in the "course support" tab).
Contacts
Valentina Martinis
vmartinis@uliege.be
Dpt of Philosophy
7, Place du 20-août, Building A1/2d floor
B-4000 Liège
Phone: 0032(4)366.55.93