CCHU 9051

Mysteries of the Human Mind

Instructor: Amit Chaturvedi
amitc@hku.hk
Tutor: Tim Li
hkutimli@gmail.com
 What’s on your mind?
1. Your name/what would you like to be called?

2. Where are you from?

3. What is your major?

4. Have you taken philosophy before?

What do you think philosophy ( 哲學 ) is?

5. What made you interested in this course?

6. What’s on your mind these days?

 Syllabus Basics
Readings:

– Posted on Moodle every week

Tutorials:

– Attendance is mandatory

– Sign-ups begin January 23 (week 2)

– Schedule, sign-up details posted on Moodle

 Syllabus Basics
Assessment:
• In-class Midterm Quiz – March 13

• Final essay (1000 words) – due May 5

• Writing portfolio:
- Argument analysis (600 words) – due March 1
» You pick the reading to analyze
- News report (300 words) – due April 26
» You choose the news story
 Syllabus Basics
Assessment:
• Two lecture responses (400 words each)

– You choose which lectures you’ll respond to

• 1st response period: Feb 5 – March 5

• 2nd response period: Mar 19 – Apr 23

• Tutorial Participation
– Discussion contributions counted for
participation grade
 “Philosophy” of “Mind”?
What is philosophy?
= “The love of wisdom”

Plato/Aristotle:
Philosophy begins in wonder;
a refusal to take things for granted
“Something is not right….”

We step back and reflect;

reflect on assumptions,
beliefs, meanings, reasons
– > We ask questions
 “Philosophy” of “Mind”?
What is philosophy?
= The art of asking questions

= Thinking critically about answers

Three basic types of philosophical questions:

Metaphysics: What exists? What is real?

Epistemology: How do I know?

Ethics: How should we live? What is right to do?

 “Philosophy” of “Mind”?
Philosophical questioning is self-reflexive:

Psychology 101: “A mental illness is ….”

Philosophy of psychology: “What is mental illness”?
Metaphysics:
– When is something mental an illness?
– When is an illness mental?
Epistemology:
– How do we know someone is ill?
– Can we know what illness is objectively?
 “Philosophy” of “Mind”?
Philosophical questioning is self-reflexive:

Psychology 101: “A mental illness is ….”

Philosophy of psychology: “What is mental illness”?
Ethics:
– (How) should we treat mental illness?
– What is health? What is health good for?
– Is there a most healthy way to live?
 “Philosophy” of “Mind”?
Philosophical questioning is self-reflexive:

Psychology 101: “A mental illness is ….”

Philosophy of psychology: “What is mental illness”?

Philosophy of mind: “What is mental?”

– What is a mind in the first place?
– How do we know our minds?
– What ethical value do minds have?
> “Who is asking?”
 Why take this course?
The philosophical study of the mind might help you

understand yourself better:

How does your mind work?

How does it make you do what you do?
How does it make you who you are?
 Why take this course?
The philosophical study of the mind might help you

think better:

Use your mind more intelligently.

Find “peace and clarity of mind”.
Tackle complex problems.
Communicate your ideas more effectively.
Expand your imagination.
 Why take this course?
The philosophical study of the mind might help you

live better:

Make better decisions.

Live a “life of the mind”.
“The unexamined life is not worth living”
– Socrates
An examined life = an examined mind