TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY OF MIND:
DAVIDSON: INTERPRETATION AND EVALUATION

(F97 Thursdays, 2:30-4:20 J. Bricke)

Tentative Syllabus:

Aug 21: Introduction

Aug 28: The Structure and Content of Truth (1990) [Introduction, and Section 3]*

Sep 4: Expressing Evaluations (1984)*

Sep 11: Judging Interpersonal Interests (1986)*

Sep 18: Donald Davidson visit

Sep 25: The Structure and Content of Truth [Sections 1 and 2]*

Oct 2: Truth and Meaning (1967) [TI]
Radical Interpretation (1973) [TI]

Oct 9: On Saying That (1968-69) [TI]
What is Present to the Mind? (1989)*

Oct 16: Communication and Convention (1984) [TI]
A Nice Derangement of Epitaphs (1986)*

Oct 23: On the Very Idea of a Conceptual Scheme (1974) [TI]
A Coherence Theory of Truth and Knowledge (1983)*
Afterthoughts, 1987*

Oct 30: Thought and Talk (1975) [TI]
Epistemology Externalized (1991)*

Nov 6: The Social Aspect of Language (1994)*
Could There Be a Science of Rationality? (1995)*

Nov 13: Intending (1978) [AE]
How is Weakness of the Will Possible? (1969) [AE]

Nov 20: Paradoxes of Irrationality (1982)*
Deception and Division (1985)*

Nov 27: No meeting

Dec 4: Hume's Cognitive Theory of Pride (1976) [AE]

NOTE: TI=Inquiries into Truth and Interpretation
AE=Essays on Actions and Events
* =Copy on reserve in Watson Library

Course requirements:

1. Close, critical reading of all required readings.
2. Occasional presentation of short (4-5 pp) paper to initiate discussion of the readings for a given meeting.
3. Provision of copies of an outline (no more than one page in length) of short papers, to be distributed to seminar participants at beginning of meeting in question.
4. Judicious participation in discussion.
5. Writing of substantial critical paper (approximately 15 pp), on mutually agreed topic. Topic must be agreed in advance (by November 13). Paper deadline: Tuesday, December 9.

Grading:

The grade on the substantial critical paper will count for 60% of the course grade. The grade for seminar participation will count for the remaining 40%, with satisfactory seminar participation construed as involving (a) being consistently well-prepared for discussion, (b) presenting occasional papers (and outlines) that serve the task of initiating discussion, and (c) taking judicious part in discussion.

Office hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 2:15-3:30, and by appointment. Feel free to come in to discuss the seminar materials, including those on which you are about to make presentations. Phone: 864-3976 (office); 842-1921 (home).
E-mail: <jbricke@falcon.cc.ukans.edu>