AP/PHIL3750 3.0 A: Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
Offered by: PHIL
(Cross-listed to: AP/COGS3750 3.0A )
Session
Fall 2023
Term
F
Format
ONLN (Fully Online)
Instructor
Calendar Description / Prerequisite / Co-Requisite
An introduction to philosophical issues in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The goal is for students to be able to gain basic understanding of the cognitive architectures used by Al programmers, and reflect critically on research in Al from a philosophical perspective. Prerequisites: One of AP/PHIL 2160 3.00 or AP/PHIL 2240 3.00.
Course Start Up
Course Websites hosted on York's "eClass" are accessible to students during the first week of the term. It takes two business days from the time of your enrolment to access your course website. Course materials begin to be released on the course website during the first week. To log in to your eClass course visit the York U eClass Portal and login with your Student Passport York Account. If you are creating and participating in Zoom meetings you may also go directly to the York U Zoom Portal.
For further course Start Up details, review the Getting Started webpage.
For IT support, students may contact University Information Technology Client Services via askit@yorku.ca or (416) 736-5800. Please also visit Students Getting Started UIT or the Getting Help - UIT webpages.
Professor Verena Gottschling
vgott@yorku.ca
Office Location: S444 Ross Building
Phone Number: (416) 736-2100 Ext. 44722
Office Hours: Online by appointment only
This course is an introductory overview of artificial intelligence (AI) as a framework for modeling and analyzing cognition. We will consider fundamental ideas about the nature of intelligence and cognition in general. Topics include the exploration of computer models for concepts such as remembering, learning, inference and affect. We will introduce classical symbolic robots, modern robotics, symbolic and connectionist modeling, and dynamic systems.
Clark, A. (ed.) (1997). Being There: Putting Brain, Body, and World Together Again. MIT Press (Bradford book). This edition of the textbook is freely available from the library website (Scott Library) and can be downloaded there.
Several papers (online, Moodle/eclass)
Homework for each class/topic: 10%
Interim: End of Module Tests (3 together) 15% (each 5%)
Forum, class and group activities 15%
Two short papers/argument analyses 30% (each 15%)
Final Essay 30% (two essay questions each 15%)
Lecture and class discussion
The course in an online course with both asynchronous, as well as synchronous activities, the synchronous activities are required as well.
To ensure that you receive a high quality and hopefully transformative educational experience, regular participation is a requirement of this class. Typical weeks include required reading, viewing some video content, participating in discussion forums and at Zoom lectures with Q&A and discussion, as well as completing an assignment or an exam. To be successful in this class, you will need to log in at least several times per module to access course materials and to participate actively in the class.
After completing this course, students should be able to:
- Understand in some depth the main topics in contemporary analytic philosophy of Artificial Intelligence, and different views regarding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a framework for modeling and analyzing cognition, including: different views of the role of classical symbolic robots, modern robotics, symbolic and connectionist modeling, and dynamic systems.
- Evaluate others’ arguments and to create their own.
- Develop the ability to write analyses of arguments
- Know about several contemporary figures in the philosophy of Artificial Intelligence.
- Academic Honesty
- Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Religious Observance
- Grading Scheme and Feedback
- 20% Rule
No examinations or tests collectively worth more than 20% of the final grade in a course will be given during the final 14 calendar days of classes in a term. The exceptions to the rule are classes which regularly meet Friday evenings or on Saturday and/or Sunday at any time, and courses offered in the compressed summer terms. - Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
