Philosophy of Mind: Consciousness and the Mind-Body Problem

Understanding how subjective thoughts, feelings, and awareness arise from the physical brain is one of the most compelling questions in philosophy. This comprehensive text course offers a structured introduction to the core debates, concepts, and thought experiments that shape our understanding of mental life. You will develop rigorous analytical skills by evaluating classic and contemporary perspectives on consciousness, identity, and cognition. What you'll learn: Understand key concepts including substance dualism, physicalism, behaviorism, and functionalism; Analyze the traditional mind-body problem and famous thought experiments such as Mary the Color Scientist and the Philosophical Zombie; Evaluate arguments surrounding qualia and the hard problem of consciousness; Explore computational theories of mind and modern debates on artificial intelligence and machine awareness; Examine contemporary frameworks such as embodied cognition and the extended mind thesis. The course begins with clear definitions and foundational terminology before advancing through detailed argument analyses and modern cognitive philosophy. Designed specifically for beginners, this course requires no prior background in philosophy or neuroscience. Begin reading today to explore the nature of human consciousness and sharpen your philosophical thinking.