Theories of Language and the Mind
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing students with a general understanding of issues concerning the study of language and mind. The acquired notions are useful for both communication-related activities and activities of redacting texts.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- masters the basic concepts and fundamental themes characterising philosophy of language and philosophy of mind
- has a general knowledge of the contemporary debate on language and mind, on the nature of mind and on the relations between mental states and physical realities.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student can address issues concerning language and mind in a rigorous way and can critically analyze linguistic practices.
Moreover, the student can sketch the state of the art of the study of language and mind and of the relation between language and thought.
At the end of the course, the student
- masters the basic concepts and fundamental themes characterising philosophy of language and philosophy of mind
- has a general knowledge of the contemporary debate on language and mind, on the nature of mind and on the relations between mental states and physical realities.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student can address issues concerning language and mind in a rigorous way and can critically analyze linguistic practices.
Moreover, the student can sketch the state of the art of the study of language and mind and of the relation between language and thought.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
[A]
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to introduce students to some of the main topics addressed by philosophers of language and philosophers of mind. The teaching will be introductory in nature.
Detailed information will be available at the beginning of the course on the MyAriel website.
The Theories of Language and Mind course has two editions, which for purely administrative convenience are called [A] and [B]; students may choose whichever edition they prefer without any constraints (not even the constraint of the surname initial).
Detailed information will be available at the beginning of the course on the MyAriel website.
The Theories of Language and Mind course has two editions, which for purely administrative convenience are called [A] and [B]; students may choose whichever edition they prefer without any constraints (not even the constraint of the surname initial).
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prior knowledge required
Teaching methods
Lectures with discussions following questions from students and the lecturer.
Teaching Resources
For students taking the exam for 6 CFU and 9 CFU:
- Paganini E. (a cura di) (2022), Il primo libro di filosofia del linguaggio e della mente, Einaudi, Torino (dal capitolo 1 al capitolo 15)
- Casalegno e altri (a cura di) (2003), Filosofia del linguaggio, Cortina, Milano (Frege "Senso e significato" e Grice "Logica e conversazione")
For students taking the exam for 9CFU (in addition to the above texts):
- Paganini E. (a cura di) (2022), Il primo libro di filosofia del linguaggio e della mente, Einaudi, Torino (dal capitolo 16 al capitolo 22)
- F. Jackson (1982), "Epiphenomenal Qualia", Philosophical Quarterly 32, pp. 127-136 [tr. it. "Qualia epifenomenici", in Marco Salucci (a cura di), La teoria dell'identità, Firenze, Le Monnier 2005, pp. 153-165]
The programme for non-attending students is the same as for attending students.
- Paganini E. (a cura di) (2022), Il primo libro di filosofia del linguaggio e della mente, Einaudi, Torino (dal capitolo 1 al capitolo 15)
- Casalegno e altri (a cura di) (2003), Filosofia del linguaggio, Cortina, Milano (Frege "Senso e significato" e Grice "Logica e conversazione")
For students taking the exam for 9CFU (in addition to the above texts):
- Paganini E. (a cura di) (2022), Il primo libro di filosofia del linguaggio e della mente, Einaudi, Torino (dal capitolo 16 al capitolo 22)
- F. Jackson (1982), "Epiphenomenal Qualia", Philosophical Quarterly 32, pp. 127-136 [tr. it. "Qualia epifenomenici", in Marco Salucci (a cura di), La teoria dell'identità, Firenze, Le Monnier 2005, pp. 153-165]
The programme for non-attending students is the same as for attending students.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral: The oral examination consists of an interview on the syllabus topics, aimed at ascertaining the student's knowledge of the philosophical theories under examination and his or her critical ability to reconstruct the reasons in favour of each theory and the criticisms that have been raised. - Students must bring the syllabus texts (in hard copy or digital format) to the examination.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
[B]
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course aims at introducing the students into some of the main topics addressed by philosophers of language and philosophers of mind. The teaching will be introductory in nature.
Detailed information will be available at the beginning of the course on MyAriel website.
Detailed information will be available at the beginning of the course on MyAriel website.
Teaching methods
Lectures with discussions following questions from students and the lecturer.
Teaching Resources
For the students intending to take the exam for 6 and 9 CFU
- Paganini E. (ed.) (2022), Il primo libro di filosofia del linguaggio e della mente, Einaudi, Torino (chapter 1 to chapter 15)
Quine,, W.v.O., Due Dogmi dell'Empirismo, Relatività Ontologica, Casalegno, P., et al. (ed.)(2003) Filosofia del linguaggio, Einaudi, Torino, 107-136, 137-150
For the students intending to take the exam for 9 CFU over and above the literature mentioned above:
- Paganini E. (ed.) (2022), Il primo libro di filosofia del linguaggio e della mente, Einaudi, Torino (chapter 16 to 22) Carnap, R., Empirismo, Semantica e Ontologia, Casalegno, P., et al. (ed.)(2003) Filosofia del linguaggio, Einaudi, Torino, 85-106
- Paganini E. (ed.) (2022), Il primo libro di filosofia del linguaggio e della mente, Einaudi, Torino (chapter 1 to chapter 15)
Quine,, W.v.O., Due Dogmi dell'Empirismo, Relatività Ontologica, Casalegno, P., et al. (ed.)(2003) Filosofia del linguaggio, Einaudi, Torino, 107-136, 137-150
For the students intending to take the exam for 9 CFU over and above the literature mentioned above:
- Paganini E. (ed.) (2022), Il primo libro di filosofia del linguaggio e della mente, Einaudi, Torino (chapter 16 to 22) Carnap, R., Empirismo, Semantica e Ontologia, Casalegno, P., et al. (ed.)(2003) Filosofia del linguaggio, Einaudi, Torino, 85-106
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam: The oral examination focuses on the philosophical theories on the syllabus and is aimed at ascertaining whether the student has acquired a critical attitude in presenting pros and cons of each theory. - Students must bring their syllabus texts (in hard copy or digital format) to the examination.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 16.30- 19.30, office or online upon prenotation by email.
Reception:
Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Teams or Skype - Reception is by appointment by email