ASP299 - Minds in Action: Philosophy of Human and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Jack Reynolds |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour on-campus lecture per week (recordings provided) 1 x 1-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week (recordings provided) 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
Intelligent behaviour and action is characteristic of many living creatures, with human minds being both context-sensitive and flexible, and also sometimes very abstract (i.e. doing philosophy!). Both have been difficult for artificial intelligence to emulate, but new developments in AI promise to change that, thus challenging our conceptions of mind and cognition, and raising ethical and political questions that are vital to our futures.
This unit introduces students to some of the many important connections between psychology and philosophy concerning cognition, embodiment, action and intelligence. It outlines some of the key issues concerning the relationship between mind and body, and debates in the philosophy of action. It also addresses some pressing questions related to ongoing developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning. What is the role of our bodies and our brains in human cognition and action? Is our thinking and action also always social and collective? Might machines, or other forms of AI, think? Can AI replicate or replace human intelligence? What ethical questions are raised from autonomous AI systems and how should they be constrained? The aim is both to introduce students to key issues in philosophy of mind but complement this with practical and real-world applications in regard to our cognitively augmented futures.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Critically examine and articulate key debates about mind and cognition | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical Thinking GLO5: Problem Solving |
| ULO2 | Reflect and critically evaluate strengths and weaknesses of human and AI systems | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical Thinking GLO5: Problem Solving |
| ULO3 | Analyse, compare and defend philosophical arguments, backed by relevant evidence, and present philosophical argument | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical Thinking GLO5: Problem Solving |
Assessment
Trimester 1:| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: (Group) Seminar and online activities | 1200 words or equivalent | 30% | Ongoing |
| Assessment 2: Essay | 1400 words or equivalent | 35% | Week 8 |
| Assessment 3: Multimodal Submission | 1400 words or equivalent | 35% | Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
There is no prescribed text for this unit. All essential unit materials will be available on the unit site, including weekly readings and seminar recordings. All students are expected to prepare for each weekly topic by completing the weekly essential readings.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
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