Universität Wien

180041 SE Explaining the Non-fundamental (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung

Hinweis der SPL Philosophie:

Das Abgeben von ganz oder teilweise von einem KI-tool (z.B. ChatGPT) verfassten Texten als Leistungsnachweis (z.B. Seminararbeit) ist nur dann erlaubt, wenn dies von der Lehrveranstaltungsleitung ausdrücklich als mögliche Arbeitsweise genehmigt wurde. Auch hierbei müssen direkt oder indirekt zitierte Textstellen wie immer klar mit Quellenangabe ausgewiesen werden.

Die Lehrveranstaltungsleitung kann zur Überprüfung der Autorenschaft einer abgegebenen schriftlichen Arbeit ein notenrelevantes Gespräch (Plausibilitätsprüfung) vorsehen, das erfolgreich zu absolvieren ist.
Moodle
Mi 30.04. 09:45-11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 25 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

  • Mittwoch 19.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Mittwoch 26.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Mittwoch 02.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Mittwoch 09.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Mittwoch 07.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Mittwoch 14.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Mittwoch 21.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Donnerstag 22.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Hörsaal 2i NIG 2.Stock C0228
  • Mittwoch 28.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Mittwoch 04.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Mittwoch 11.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Mittwoch 18.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

CONTENT: Reality appears to have levels: some things seem to be more fundamental than others. For example, it is plausible that atoms are more fundamental than molecules and that molecules are more fundamental than mountains. Moreover, it is often assumed that the less fundamental is somehow explainable by the more fundamental. But what do such explanations consist of? Also, what do they tell us about the nature and reality of the non-fundamental entities? We will ask and discuss these and similar questions during this course.

AIMS: This seminar will introduce students to different approaches to explaining non-fundamental phenomena in contemporary analytic philosophy. Students will primarily learn about the following ways to explain the non-fundamental:
- Reduction
- Emergence
- Grounding
- Elimination

Students will gain an understanding of the basic concepts, views, and arguments in the above topics. Moreover, students will learn about aspects of the metaphysics of consciousness and the metaphysics of science.

METHOD: Every session after the first will have an assigned reading and will begin with a student presentation of that reading. The rest of the session will consist of interactive teaching. The students will discuss the session’s topic under my guidance. I will clarify and explain the topic and provide context when needed. All class activities will be in English.

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

PARTICIPATION: students are expected to participate in the class discussions.

PRESENTATION: Each student must give a presentation on the reading(s) for one of the course sessions. The presentations will be done individually or in groups, depending on the number of participants. Every student should present for approximately 10 minutes.

For maximum points, each presentation should:
– Accurately express the key points of the reading(s).
– Be clear and accessible.
– Keep close to the time limit (10 min per student).

Students should submit two reaction essays, each on a different view or argument from the course. Students should first briefly introduce the view or argument they are discussing and then defend or criticize it. The first reaction essay is due by May 14, and the second by July 2.

For maximum points, reaction essays should:
– Be on a topic from the course different from both (a) the presentation topic and (b) the topic of the other reaction essay.
– Accurately present the views it discusses.
– Be clear and focused.
– Critically engage with the view(s) under discussion.
– Stay close to 500 words (without references).

FINAL ESSAY (max. 2500 words): Every student must write an argumentative essay on a topic relevant to the course. The final essay should demonstrate a good understanding of the topic it discusses and have a conclusion backed by clear argumentation. The final essay should be submitted by August 1, 2025.

For maximal points, the final essay should:
– Be on a well-defined topic relevant to the course.
– Be clear and focused.
– Accurately and charitably present the views it discusses.
– Consider potential objections/responses.
– Exhibit critical thinking and take a stance on the topic.
– Engage with at least one course reading and use supplementary literature.
– Adhere to the standards of academic writing (use a standard reference system and literature appropriate for the task).
– Stay close to 2500 words (without references).

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

POINTS: Each of the student activities will result in points, as follows:

Class participation: max. 10 points
Presentation max. 20 points
Reaction essays: max. 20 points (each reaction essay is worth max. 10 points)
Final essay: max. 50 points

GRADES: The points correspond to grades as follows:

1 = 87–100 points
2 = 75–86 points
3 = 63–74 points
4 = 50–62 points
5 = 0–50 points

Every student is allowed a maximum of 2 unexcused absences.

The reaction essays and the final essay must be written in English. Plagiarism or AI generated essays will result in failing the course.

Prüfungsstoff

Participation + Presentations + Reaction Essays + Final Essay = Final Grade

Literatur

We will cover the following topics (readings for specific weeks will be announced closer to the start of the course):

WEEK 1 (MARCH 19): INTRODUCTION
No reading.

WEEK 2 (MARCH 26): THE FUNDAMENTAL AND THE NON-FUNDAMENTAL
Bennett, K. (2017) – Making Things Up, Chapter 2.1 (pp. 6-16).
Schaffer, J. (2009) – “On What Grounds What,” Section 1 (pp. 347-356).

WEEK 3 (APRIL 2): REDUCTION: THEORY REDUCTION
Ney, A. – “Reductionism,” Section 1, https://iep.utm.edu/red-ism/
Hüttemann, A. & Love, A. (2016) – “Reduction,” until Section 2 (pp. 1-5).

WEEK 4 (APRIL 9): REDUCTION: IDENTITY
Smart, J.J.C. (1959) – “Sensations and Brain Processes.”
Jaworski, W. (2011) – Philosophy of Mind, Section 5.5 (pp. 115-117).

WEEK 5 (APRIL 30): MULTIPLE REALIZABILITY
Putnam, H. (1967) – “The Nature of Mental States.”
Jaworski, W. (2011) – Philosophy of Mind, Sections 6.1-6.2 (pp. 131-136).

WEEK 6 (MAY 7): FUNCTIONALISM
Lewis, D. (1983) – “Mad Pain and Martian Pain.”
Jaworski, W. (2011) – Philosophy of Mind, Sections 6.3 (pp. 136-140) and 6.5 (pp. 141-144).

WEEK 7 (MAY 14): EXPLANATORY GAPS
Levine, J. (1983) – “Materialism and Qualia: The Explanatory Gap.”
Chalmers, D. (2003) – “Consciousness and Its Place in Nature,” Sections 5.1-5.3 (pp. 102-108).

WEEK 8 (MAY 21): WEAK EMERGENCE
Chalmers, D. (2006) – “Strong and Weak Emergence.”
Taylor, E. (2015) – “An Explication of Emergence,” until Section 7 (pp. 653-662).

WEEK 9 (MAY 22): STRONG EMERGENCE
Barnes, E. (2012) – “Emergence and Fundamentality,” until Section 5 (pp. 873-891).

WEEK 10 (MAY 28): BEING REAL
Miller, J.T.M. (2022) – Metaphysical Realism and Anti-realism, until Chapter 3 (pp. 1-25).

WEEK 11 (JUNE 4): ELIMINATION
Churchland, P. (2013) – Matter and Consciousness, Chapter 2.5 (pp. 73-84).
Frankish, K. (2016) – “Illusionism as a Theory of Consciousness,” until Section 1.4 (pp. 11-19).

WEEK 12 (JUNE 11): GROUNDING VIA ESSENCE
Dasgupta, S. (2014) – “The Possibility of Physicalism,” Sections 1-5 (pp. 557-571) and Section 7 (pp. 575-580).

WEEK 13 (JUNE 18): GROUNDING VIA LAWS
Schaffer, J. (2021) – “Ground Functionalism,” until Section 2.2 (pp. 171-193).

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Letzte Änderung: Do 03.04.2025 14:26