Philosophy Department

Seminar: Mind, Matter, and Form
(PHLU 4200)

William Jaworski

For the past 350 years philosophers, scientists, and theologians have understood human nature in terms of a series of dichotomy: freedom vs. determinism, fact vs. value, and mind vs. body. Philosophers have worked diligently to resolve the problems generated by these dichotomies, but with very little success. After more than three centuries, we continue to struggle with the same fundamental problems. This course focuses on mind-body problems – problems understanding the relationship between mind and matter. We consider what they are, their history, their relationship to the natural and social sciences, and the range of contemporary theories that try to solve them. We then consider the bold hypothesis that modern philosophy of mind might be founded on a mistake! We examine an alternative approach to human nature based on Aristotle’s philosophy and consider whether it doesn’t provide a way of resolving mind-body problems.

Descartes at his desk