Annotation
This course aims to explain the significance of evolutionary theory, specifically Darwin’s theory of natural selection, to philosophy. The first part of the course will be of a historical character, and will explore not only the thought of Darwin himself, but also philosophical reactions to his work, particularly as it concerns philosophy of mind and epistemology. The second part will look at contemporary debates certain problems with evolutionary theory, including how the mind can emerge from an evolutionary process that begins from beings seemingly quite lacking in mind and mental faculties. Central themes of the course:
1. Darwin’s theory of evolution: Background, natural selection, Darwin’s pluralism with regard to the mechanism of evolution, the Descent of Man.
2. Epistemology after Darwin: John Dewey Konrad Lorenz, Friedrich Nietzsche, Charles Pierce, Alvin Plantinga.
3. Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett: Neo-Darwinist theories of the evolution of mind.
4. Noam Chomsky, Thomas Nagel, Jerry Fodor, Piattelli-Palmarini: Doubts about neo-Darwinism.