Minds and Machines

<div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-vertical" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@vertical+block@60e2cd35699b4cceab682d7b926e5d71" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="vertical" data-init="VerticalStudentView" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <h2 class="hd hd-2 unit-title">This Course on Open Learning Library</h2> <div class="vert-mod"> <div class="vert vert-0" data-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@html+block@5ca463cc9b2a4ebf817f9a920f398508"> <div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-html xmodule_display xmodule_HtmlBlock" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@html+block@5ca463cc9b2a4ebf817f9a920f398508" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="html" data-init="XBlockToXModuleShim" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <script type="json/xblock-args" class="xblock-json-init-args"> {"xmodule-type": "HTMLModule"} </script> <p style="font-size: 16px;">In this version of Minds and Machines on Open Learning Library:</p> <ul> <li>No certificates can be earned on Open Learning Library</li> <li>Runs as ‘self-paced’ and all dates mentioned within are irrelevant</li> <li>Some assessment material may have been removed and grading adjusted accordingly</li> <li>Any discussion forums have been removed</li> <li>All assessments have been set to unlimited attempts</li> <li>Some course content may have been removed  </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div>

<div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-vertical" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@vertical+block@15f7666ec7094306860b53836e1c0878" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="vertical" data-init="VerticalStudentView" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <h2 class="hd hd-2 unit-title">Welcome to Minds and Machines!</h2> <div class="vert-mod"> <div class="vert vert-0" data-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@video+block@de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398"> <div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-video xmodule_display xmodule_VideoBlock" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@video+block@de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="video" data-init="XBlockToXModuleShim" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <script type="json/xblock-args" class="xblock-json-init-args"> {"xmodule-type": "Video"} </script> <h3 class="hd hd-2">Video: Welcome to Minds and Machines!</h3> <div id="video_de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398" class="video closed" data-metadata='{"saveStateUrl": "/courses/course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019/xblock/block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@video+block@de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398/handler/xmodule_handler/save_user_state", "completionEnabled": false, "ytTestTimeout": 1500, "autohideHtml5": false, "completionPercentage": 0.95, "poster": null, "ytApiUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/iframe_api", "sources": [], "transcriptLanguages": {"en": "English"}, "saveStateEnabled": false, "captionDataDir": null, "recordedYoutubeIsAvailable": true, "autoAdvance": false, "duration": null, "publishCompletionUrl": "/courses/course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019/xblock/block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@video+block@de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398/handler/publish_completion", "transcriptTranslationUrl": "/courses/course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019/xblock/block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@video+block@de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398/handler/transcript/translation/__lang__", "prioritizeHls": false, "autoplay": false, "savedVideoPosition": 0.0, "streams": "1.00:fjOrGbSNkx8", "speed": null, "generalSpeed": 1.0, "ytMetadataEndpoint": "", "showCaptions": "true", "start": 0.0, "transcriptLanguage": "en", "lmsRootURL": "https://openlearninglibrary.mit.edu", "end": 0.0, "transcriptAvailableTranslationsUrl": "/courses/course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019/xblock/block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@video+block@de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398/handler/transcript/available_translations"}' data-bumper-metadata='null' data-autoadvance-enabled="False" data-poster='null' tabindex="-1" > <div class="focus_grabber first"></div> <div class="tc-wrapper"> <div class="video-wrapper"> <span tabindex="0" class="spinner" aria-hidden="false" aria-label="Loading video player"></span> <span tabindex="-1" class="btn-play fa fa-youtube-play fa-2x is-hidden" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="Play video"></span> <div class="video-player-pre"></div> <div class="video-player"> <div id="de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398"></div> <h4 class="hd hd-4 video-error is-hidden">No playable video sources found.</h4> <h4 class="hd hd-4 video-hls-error is-hidden"> Your browser does not support this video format. Try using a different browser. </h4> </div> <div class="video-player-post"></div> <div class="closed-captions"></div> <div class="video-controls is-hidden"> <div> <div class="vcr"><div class="vidtime">0:00 / 0:00</div></div> <div class="secondary-controls"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="focus_grabber last"></div> <h3 class="hd hd-4 downloads-heading sr" id="video-download-transcripts_de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398">Downloads and transcripts</h3> <div class="wrapper-downloads" role="region" aria-labelledby="video-download-transcripts_de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398"> <div class="wrapper-download-transcripts"> <h4 class="hd hd-5">Transcripts</h4> <ul class="list-download-transcripts"> <li class="transcript-option"> <a class="btn btn-link" href="/courses/course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019/xblock/block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@video+block@de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398/handler/transcript/download" data-value="srt">Download SubRip (.srt) file</a> </li> <li class="transcript-option"> <a class="btn btn-link" href="/courses/course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019/xblock/block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@video+block@de09fb0d2eb74da2882bc2462b4a8398/handler/transcript/download" data-value="txt">Download Text (.txt) file</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

<div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-vertical" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@vertical+block@80d86c81b93d4d6d9d41d91b9535ad27" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="vertical" data-init="VerticalStudentView" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <h2 class="hd hd-2 unit-title">What to Expect</h2> <div class="vert-mod"> <div class="vert vert-0" data-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@html+block@c152db75104b4cb9860b5ea515c9f004"> <div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-html xmodule_display xmodule_HtmlBlock" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@html+block@c152db75104b4cb9860b5ea515c9f004" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="html" data-init="XBlockToXModuleShim" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <script type="json/xblock-args" class="xblock-json-init-args"> {"xmodule-type": "HTMLModule"} </script> <h1>What is this Class?</h1> <p>24.09x is an introduction to philosophy of mind. We’ll talk more about what philosophy is in general, and what philosophy of mind is in particular, in the first lecture.  For now, here is a list of the kinds of questions you can expect to think about in this course:</p> <ul> <ul> <ul> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">Are you an “immaterial soul” , distinct from your brain and body? </span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">Alternatively, are you simply a material or physical animal, living in an entirely physical world? </span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">If we (somehow) made a brain that was a perfect molecule-for-molecule replica of your brain, and (somehow) kept it alive in a tank, would the tank-creature have the same mental life as you? </span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">Do we see ordinary physical objects like lemons and iPhones?  And assuming that we do see them at all, do we see them as they really are? </span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">Can consciousness be given a scientific explanation?</span></li> </ul> </ul> </ul> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">     </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The class is divided into five interconnected parts:</p> <ol><ol><ol><ol> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: normal;">Minds and computers;</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: normal;">From dualism to functionalism—a survey of theories of mind;</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: normal;"> Minds and brains;</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: normal;">Perception;</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: normal;">Consciousness and the mind-body problem.</span></li> </ol></ol></ol></ol> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p> </div> </div> <div class="vert vert-1" data-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@html+block@ee7481248c824676ba217ff41f2ee876"> <div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-html xmodule_display xmodule_HtmlBlock" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@html+block@ee7481248c824676ba217ff41f2ee876" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="html" data-init="XBlockToXModuleShim" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <script type="json/xblock-args" class="xblock-json-init-args"> {"xmodule-type": "HTMLModule"} </script> <h1>How to Take this Class</h1> <p>The class consists of five elements:</p> <ul> <ul> <ul> <ul> <li>readings,</li> <li>lecture videos,</li> <li>in-course text,</li> <li>ungraded problems,</li> <li>assessment,</li> </ul> </ul> </ul> </ul> <p>…plus a few additional resources.</p> <h2></h2> <h3>Readings</h3> <p>The readings are the core of the course. There is a reading for each lecture, other than the first. <span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: normal;">Some are (a) very difficult, or (b) very long, or (c) both. </span>We have tried to make your job easier by excerpting the important bits, and annotating the readings, in a way that makes their overall structure clear. But they still<span style="line-height: 1.6;"> demand careful study.</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.6;">If, after devoting time and energy to the reading, you’re not getting everything, this is only to be expected, so don’t be disheartened. We will talk about the readings in lecture, and you can ask about them in the discussion forum (more on that later). But however hard it seems, d</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">o the reading! You won’t learn much otherwise.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: normal;">You should complete the assigned readings </span><i style="font-size: 1em; line-height: normal;">before</i><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: normal;"> each lecture as the lecture will often presuppose familiarity with the material in the texts. </span>You will be prompted to read the required reading at the end of the lecture before the one for which the reading is assigned, and again at the beginning of the relevant lecture.</p> <p>You can access the readings from these prompts, and also from the “Resources” section at the right of the screen, under the “Course Info” tab.</p> <p>There is also a lengthy Glossary, explaining many key philosophical terms that will come up in this course, and a Guide to Logic and Argumentation, which you should consult when needed. You can find both of these in the “Resources” section at the right of the screen, under the “Course Info” tab.</p> <p></p> <h3>Videos</h3> <p>The videos are where you will see the lectures. They contain commentary on the readings, explanations concerning their subject matter, explorations of relevant philosophical ideas, and provide some general tools for thinking philosophically. The second most important thing you can do, after the readings, is to watch the videos.</p> <p></p> <h3>In-course Text</h3> <p>The text on the course webpages is there to help guide you through the course. There isn’t much in the way of content in the text—<span style="font-size: 1em;">it rather works as a signpost to help you see how the content is organised, and how each bit relates to each other bit. It will be very helpful to you in keeping things straight.</span></p> <p>This text includes maps at the beginning of each lecture which are there to help you understand how the lecture is structured, on a large scale. Be sure to use the lecture map!</p> <p></p> <h3>Ungraded Problems</h3> <p><span style="line-height: 25.6px;">The video segments typically have an accompanying problem. </span><em style="line-height: 25.6px;">Do try them!</em><span style="line-height: 25.6px;"> Many of the problems are straightforward, but some are tricky. Even though none of them counts towards your final score for this course, attempting the problem will improve your understanding of the material and so improve your performance on the exams. If you get the problem wrong, don’t worry—this is an opportunity to learn by thinking about </span><em style="line-height: 25.6px;">why</em><span style="line-height: 25.6px;"> your answer is wrong.</span></p> <p></p> <h3>Assessment</h3> <p>More on this on <a href="/courses/course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019/jump_to_id/c102ef747bce4e14a4b3b1b954327ab6" target="_blank">the next page</a>; for the moment, just be aware that the just-mentioned ungraded problems are <em>not</em> part of your assessment. The assessed parts of the course are very clearly marked as such.</p> <p></p> <p>For more on the additional resources, see <a href="/courses/course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019/jump_to_id/dcc6651e91e14c25b1af152f9cbf68f1" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

<div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-vertical" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@vertical+block@c102ef747bce4e14a4b3b1b954327ab6" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="vertical" data-init="VerticalStudentView" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <h2 class="hd hd-2 unit-title">Assessment</h2> <div class="vert-mod"> <div class="vert vert-0" data-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@html+block@06c504ebd74848368d02efec0aa08b27"> <div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-html xmodule_display xmodule_HtmlBlock" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@html+block@06c504ebd74848368d02efec0aa08b27" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="html" data-init="XBlockToXModuleShim" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <script type="json/xblock-args" class="xblock-json-init-args"> {"xmodule-type": "HTMLModule"} </script> <h1>Assessment</h1> <p>There are four assessed assignments in 24.09x. There are two smaller assignments in which you will be required to analyze an argument, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. Each assessed assignment appears in its own section, and will be clearly marked as assessed.</p> <p>Your final grade is determined by the assessments in the following way:</p> <ul> <ul> <ul> <ul> <li>First Argument Analysis: 10%</li> <li>Mid-term Exam: 30%</li> <li>Second Argument Analysis: 10%</li> <li>Final Exam: 50%</li> </ul> </ul> </ul> </ul> <p><strong>To pass this class, your final grade must be 50% or above.</strong></p> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

<div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-vertical" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@vertical+block@dcc6651e91e14c25b1af152f9cbf68f1" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="vertical" data-init="VerticalStudentView" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <h2 class="hd hd-2 unit-title">Additional Resources</h2> <div class="vert-mod"> <div class="vert vert-0" data-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@html+block@8fdc25e6bc7c43da8d5409f379a98166"> <div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-html xmodule_display xmodule_HtmlBlock" data-request-token="c0760155ed2111efb9010e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@html+block@8fdc25e6bc7c43da8d5409f379a98166" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="html" data-init="XBlockToXModuleShim" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <script type="json/xblock-args" class="xblock-json-init-args"> {"xmodule-type": "HTMLModule"} </script> <h1>Additional Resources</h1> <p>Besides the stuff already mentioned, there are some extra resources that should come in handy. These include:</p> <ul> <ul> <ul> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">the course </span><a href="/assets/courseware/v1/1567893d08b2f45bb38db83c3c83df6e/asset-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@asset+block/2409xGlossary.pdf" target="_blank" style="font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">Glossary</a><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">, which will help with unfamiliar philosophy jargon you are liable to come across in the readings; </span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">a <a href="/assets/courseware/v1/235da70b4d9dbaf0f8a43ef0772a4811/asset-v1:MITx+24.09x+3T2019+type@asset+block/2409x_guide_to_logic_and_argumentation.pdf" target="_blank">Guide to Logic and Argumentation</a>, which will provide useful tools for assessing the ideas that we will discuss in this course (if there is one skill we want you to take away at the end, it is being able to evaluate arguments);</span></li> <li>the lecture slides, which are downloadable at the beginning of each lecture (you will also see them in the videos, so downloading isn’t necessary, but feel free);</li> <li>the video transcripts, which are downloadable via a button below the relevant video;</li> <li>and the videos themselves, which are also downloadable.</li> </ul> </ul> </ul> </ul> <p>The Glossary and Guide to Logic and Argumentation are available in the “Resources” bar at the right of the screen, under the “Course Info” tab, along with the readings.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>