ABOUT

​Prof. Gabriel Greenberg
PHIL 281: Philosophy of Mind • Winter 2017 • UCLA
When: Thurs 4-7
Where: Dodd 399

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READING

• Dretske 1981, Knowledge and the Flow of Information
• Millikan 1984, Language, Thought, and Other Biological Categories 
• Fodor 1990, A Theory of Content​​

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SYLLABUS

Course descriptions: This course examines the theories on intentionality and information theory, exploring foundational concepts, the evolution of naturalized intentionality, and the role of informational relations in shaping mental states. It delves into the quantification and transfer of information, emphasizing the significance of causality and the conceptual framework for understanding informational content. 

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Part I.  Dretske

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1. Dretske 1
1/12

​Handout

​Reading:

• Dretske 1981, Knowledge and the Flow of Information [pp. vii-62], read the Preface, Ch 1: "Communication Theory," and Ch 2: "Communication and Information."

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2. Dretske 2
1/19

​Handout

​Reading:

• Dretske, Knowledge and the Flow of Information [pp. 63-82, 171-189], read Ch 3: "A Semantic Theory of Information" and Ch 7: "Coding and Content."

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3. Dretske 3
1/26

​Handout

​Reading:

• Dretske, Knowledge and the Flow of Information [pp. 190-235], read Ch 8: "The Structure of Belief" and "Ch 9: Concepts and Meaning."​

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Part II.  Millikan

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​4. Millikan 1
2/2

​​Handout

​Reading:

• Millikan 1984, Language, Thought, and Other Biological Categories [pp. 1-50], read the Introduction, Ch 1: "Direct Proper Functions," and Ch 2: "Adadapted Devices and Adapted Derived Proper Functions."

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5. Millikan 2
2/9

​Handout

​​Reading:

• Millikan 1984, Language, Thought, and Other Biological Categories [pp. 85-126], read Ch 5: "Intentionality as a Natural Phenomenon," Ch 6: "Intentional Icons: Fregean Sense, Reference, and Real Value Introduced," and Ch 7: "Kinds of Signs."

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6. Millikan 3
2/16

​​Handout


​Reading:

• Millikan 1984, Language, Thought, and Other Biological Categories [pp. 127-158, 239-256], read Ch 8: "Hubots, Rumans, and Others: Case Studies of of Intensions, Senses, and 'Stimulus Meanings'," Ch 9: "Intension:  The Third Aspect of Meaning," and Ch 15: "The Act of Identifying."

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​Part III.  Fodor

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7. Fodor 1
2/23
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​Handout

Reading:

• Fodor 1990, A Theory of Content [pp. ix-49], read the Introduction, Ch 1: "Fodor's Guide to Mental Representation," Ch 2: "Semantics, Wisconsin Style."

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8.Guest speaker: Susanna Siegel
3/2

​​​Reading: 

• ​Shoemaker 1970 "Persons and their Pasts"

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9. Fodor 2
3/9

​Handout

​Reading:

• Fodor 1990, A Theory of Content [pp. 51-87], read Ch 3: "A Theory of Content I: The Problem."​​

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​10. Fodor 3
3/16

​Handout

​​Reading:

• Fodor 1990, A Theory of Content [pp. 89-136], read Ch 4: "A Theory of Content II: The Theory."

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