This course deals with the study of the nature of the mind using various psycho-philosophical theories as framework. Included in this study are the relationship between the mind and the body, the characteristics of our mental lives supplemented by a consideration of work done in psychology and in the interdisciplinary study of behavioral medicine and health psychology. The fascinating areas of psycho-cybernetics, telepsychics, the Silva Method, psychic phenomenon as well as the power of prayer and positive thinking will be part of this course's concern as investigatory research. Death and immortality are also considered central in this study.
This course is designed to enable the students to delve deeper into the nature of the mind using philosophical views, recent psychological findings and scientific discoveries. This course is also geared towards discovering what is potentially and actually hidden in human consciousness by investigating psychic phenomena, the power of desire and belief, the benefits of prayer, meditation and positive thinking as well as other related fields. It is hoped that through this course the students will come to appreciate themselves better in terms of what they can do and what they can become as persons.
I. INTRODUCTION
What is the mind? The different theories of the mind. The problem of the mind-body relationship.
| "What Is The Mind?", Living Issues In Philosophy |
| "The Split Brain", Mindpower |
| "The Marvel of Memory", op. cit. |
The nature of the mind according to Descartes. A criticism on the Cartesian view.
| "The Nature of the Mind", Introductory Philosophy |
| "Descartes' Myth", Reason And Responsibility |
| "Contracted and Extended Minds", Seven Experiments That Could Change the World |
Aspects of a human being. Distinction of mind and brain. Mental and physical events. Views of the mind.
| " Aspects of a Human Being", Philosophy: Theory and Practice |
The relation of personal identity to consciousness.
| "Of the Nature and Origin of our Notion of Personal Consciousness", A Modern Introduction to Philosophy |
| "The How and Why of Visualization", You'll See It When You Believe It |
Consciousness and the mental process. Can science explain everything about the mind? Is consciousness reducible to mental process?
| "The Automaton Theory", A Modern Introduction to Philosophy |
| "The Limitations of Scientific Materialism", loc. cit. |
Is life after death possible? What is the role of consciousness in the argument for immortality? What are some of the arguments against immortality?
| "Is Life After Death Possible?", Reason And Responsibility |
| "The Myth of Immortality", A Modern Introduction to Philosophy |
| "Reasons for Believing in Immortality", loc. cit. |
| "Breaking the Spell of Mortality", Ageless Body, Timeless Mind |
Tests, quizzes, reflection papers, assignments, reports and class discussions will be required whenever necessary. An investigative report will be required at the end of the course.
All the books used in this course are available to students at the Reserved Section, Main Library.
http://amychaves.bizland.com/courses/mind/philo27.htm