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PHIL 250 001 (Web-Oriented Course)

Minds and Machines

Philosophical and theoretical issues that pertain to how mental phenomena fit into the material world. Examine questions such as whether a sophisticated enough computer should be deemed a conscious intelligent being. Focus on philosophical literature on consciousness, intelligence, animal minds, and the mind-body relation. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 250 or PHIL 150.

This course is eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. To determine whether you can take this course for Credit/D/Fail grading, visit the Credit/D/Fail website. You must register in the course before you can select the Credit/D/Fail grading option.

Credits: 3

Location: Vancouver

Term 1 (Sep 08, 2020 to Dec 03, 2020)

Cr/D/F Grading Change Dates

Last day to change between Credit/D/Fail and percentage grading (grading options cannot be changed after this date): September 21, 2020


Withdrawal Dates
Last day to withdraw without a W standing : September 21, 2020
Last day to withdraw with a W standing
(course cannot be dropped after this date) : 		October 30, 2020

TermDay Start TimeEnd TimeBuildingRoom
1 Mon Wed Fri11:0012:00
Instructor: BITTNER, THOMAS JACOB


Seat Summary
Total Seats Remaining:16
Currently Registered:74
General Seats Remaining:16
Restricted Seats Remaining*:0
-  This is a course in the philosophy of mind as it connects to the cognitive and computer sciences. We will investigate philosophical issues relevant to virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and robots. Our main focus will be on the question of whether minds, such as our own, are natural mechanisms, equivalent in some respects to computers. COVID-19 notice: the instructor's current plan is for class meetings to use a lecture/discussion format and to take place entirely online. Monday and Friday lectures will be recorded so that students living in distant time zones can view them during daylight hours. Wednesday class meetings will take place in real time on UBC Canvas Collaborate Ultra and will be used for class discussion, assessment (quizzes and exams), and student presentations.

Book Summary :
Title Reqd/Opt/Rel Author ISB
No Text Required Required NO TEXT REQUIRED 281000028734