Philosophy and Neuroethics

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/W_BA_PNEU

Course Objective

Students are introduced to the most important concepts and positions in philosophical debates on the impact of neuroscience and neurotechnologies on individuals and society. Lerning Objectives 1. You can describe, explain, and reflect on the main philosophical positions and concepts regarding the mind-body problem and identify what they imply for empirical research in psychology and neuroscience; 2. You are able to describe, explain, and reflect on philosophical positions and concepts regarding science and objectivity and identify how they affect contemporary discussions on the impact of neuroscientific research and neurotechnologies; 3. You can describe, explain, and reflect on the most important ethical frameworks and identify how they affect contemporary discussions on the impact of neuroscientific research and neurotechnologies; 4. You can describe, explain, and reflect on current topics in neuroethics and identify their relevance for society (e.g., neuro-enhancement); 5. You are able to give an assessment of the ethical and epistemological implications of advancing developments in artificial intelligence research both on an individual and societal level (e.g., AI and autonomy; information bubbles and echo chambers); 6. You can describe, explain, and reflect on the main philosophical positions on free will and identify what they imply for neuroscientific research as well as our self-understanding as humans.

Course Content

Neuroscientific research and emerging neuro-technologies give rise to new social, legal, epistemological, and ethical issues. In this course, students are familiarized with key concepts, positions, and arguments in philosophical debates on these topics, including (1) common approaches to the mind-body problem and their implications for scientific research; (2) philosophical underpinnings of contemporary debates on science and objectivity; (3) central ethical frameworks and their applications; (4) current topics in neuroethics and their relevance for society;(5) implications of certain advancing developments in artificial intelligence research, and (6) the main philosophical debates on free will and their potential significance.

Teaching Methods

(Interactive) lectures

Method of Assessment

Written exam (100%) (Learning Objectives 1
- 6)

Literature

Course manual and literature will be published a few weeks ahead of the beginning of the course on Canvas.

Target Audience

This course is part of the Universiteitsminor Technology, Law and Ethics.

Recommended background knowledge

Philosophy requires active reading and thinking. It's helpful to read 'How to read philosophy' before embarking on this course.