Format: 5 pages double spaced 12 pt. Times New Roman
Works Cited Page in-text citations (author
p#) stapled
Paper #2 – Consciousness
We all know what consciousness is. All of us experience the feeling
(phenomenology) of being an individual who interacts with the world. One might say that “consciousness” is at the
center of all of our experiences.
And yet, at the same time, an explanation of the nature of consciousness has eluded philosophers for
thousands of years. If the brain and the
body are primarily physical, material “things,” how does this give
rise to an “immaterial,” thinking, mind?
Paper #2: Write
an essay in which you reflect on the mystery of human consciousness and argue in support
of your own conclusion.
In
your view, what is the best way to explain the nature/origin of
consciousness?
Introduce,
Analyze, Compare, and Contrast at least 2-3 philosophers/theories of
mind.
Read primary sources and try to interpret the words of each
philosopher as best you can.
Examples of relevant questions to guide your discussion:
What is
consciousness (in your own words)? Why is it a central concern for
philosophers?
Which
philosopher or theory seems the most accurate in terms of explaining
consciousness? Why?
Explain
why it is so difficult to explain consciousness. Try to be precise.
◦
In what ways is consciousness unlike most other things?
◦
Why do scientists have difficulty trying to study it?
◦
Will we ever be able to explain it? If not, explain why not.
◦
What is the difference between a “mind” and a “brain”?
◦
Is consciousness your soul?
Can it exist without a body?
(What is a soul?)
◦
What would happen if human beings were not conscious? Could
this be possible?
What is
flawed about materialist/reductionist explanations of consciousness?
What is
flawed about claiming consciousness is not a part of the “material”
world?
Where do
you think consciousness “comes from”?
What could it be “made of”?
◦
Could mind/consciousness be a fundamental part of the
universe? Could things be “made of mind”
instead of matter? Could we all be
simply “brains in vats” living in a false reality?
◦
Why do human beings seem to have such a unique form of
consciousness? What makes us different?
Could non-human beings be conscious?
◦
Could it be possible for conscious beings to exist on other
planets? Why or why not?
Why is it
worth it for us to take the time to try to understand consciousness?
*Remember, consciousness
and conscience are not the same thing!*
Potential
philosophers to consider:
Dennett Chalmers Churchland Ryle
Descartes Locke Berkeley Kant
Wittgenstein Nagel Spinoza Husserl
many others : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_philosophers_of_mind
A
successful essay will contain the following elements:
a) clear thesis
statement articulating your view in intro paragraph
b) presentation of
premises which support your point of view
c) presentation of the
opposing argument
d)
response to opposition argument (which shows that your view is superior)
e)
application and discussion of theory from at least TWO philosophers covered in
course
f) use
of credible external sources and inclusion of Works Cited page
g)
accurate application of theories, principles, and concepts from the course
h) discuss details: specific
concepts, arguments, people, etc.
Do some research and draw
on at least three high-quality sources. Do not rely on questionable web
resources! Take advantage of the
CCC library and research databases.
Think about what your final
conclusion will be – what claim do you want to make? Mention this in your introductory
paragraph.
Use evidence (premises)
which demonstrate that your point of view is right.
Consider what your opponent
will say, and respond to likely criticism.
Your goal is to be convincing and thorough.
Read primary sources and do
your best to interpret the words of each philosopher.
Do not rely
on quotes, discuss the issue in your own voice while remaining as
objective as possible.
Other
Resources:
PhilPapers.org https://philpapers.org/s/consciousness
Guide to
Philosophy of Mind – David Chalmers http://consc.net/guide/
