HIST-308 History of the Mind from Descartes to Deep Blue

This seminar retraces the history of the human mind, from René Descartes’ assertion of mind-body dualism in the mid-17th century, to Deep Blue's chess victory over Gary Kasparov in the 20th century. How has our understanding of human experience, of thought, of the self, of race and sex difference influenced scientific conceptions of the human brain and the nerves? What have modern neuroscience and artificial intelligence done to bridge the gap between mind and body, or to reveal the material basis of thought? This course draws on the histories of science, medicine, philosophy, and psychology.

Maximum Enrollment

Writing-Intensive (18)

(Writing Intensive.)

Credits

1

Prerequisite

One 200-level history course.

Offered

Fall