Jonny Cottrell

Email: <jcott@yorku.ca>

Office Location: S404A Ross Building – South Wing

Office Hours (in person): T and Th, 1:00–2:00pm

“The foundational document of cognitive science”

A Treatise of Human Nature, by the Scottish philosopher David Hume (1711–1776) has been justly hailed as “the foundational document of cognitive science” (J. A. Fodor, Hume Variations, p.134). In the Treatise, Hume aims to establish an empirical science of the human mind modeled on the natural sciences (or “natural philosophy”, as he would have called them). He develops a theory of the mind strikingly like those that have been central to cognitive science since the so-called “Cognitive Revolution” in twentieth century psychology. In this course, we will aim to understand and critically evaluate Hume’s new science of the mind—what he called “the science of human nature”. What assumptions does Hume make about the mind, and its relation to the natural world, when he proposes to study the mind using the methods of the natural sciences? What methods does Hume borrow from the natural sciences? What conclusions do they lead him to draw about the nature and functioning of the mind, and is he right to draw them? Why did he see problems with his own “science of human nature”—for, after publishing the Treatise, he described some of its content as a “very considerable mistake”—and can these problems be solved? Lastly, what if anything can Hume’s project teach us about the mind, and about the proper ways to study it?

Technical requirements for taking the course: Reading assignments and study materials will be shared via eClass, so you will need access to a computer or other device with internet access.

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices 

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

To determine Internet connection and speed, there are online tests, such as Speedtest, that can be run.]

Times and locations: Meetings take place in person, once a week:

• Tuesdays
• 2:30–5:30pm
• Ross Building, North Wing, room 812 (R N812)

Office hours: I will hold two in-person office hours each week (Tues and Thurs, 1:00–2:00pm) in the Ross Building, South Wing, room S404A.

High-quality editions of the main readings by David Hume are available freely at https://davidhume.org/. This website will be linked via eClass. All other required readings will be distributed via eClass.

• IMPORTANT NOTE: Many editions of Hume’s works are available online. Please use ONLY the versions that I assign. Using other versions will, at best, lead to a good deal of confusion.

Assessment will be based on attendance and participation; in-class quizzes; and on two projects, one due at midterm, the other at the end of term. These components are weighted as follows:

Attendance and Participation: 20%

In-Class Quizzes: 30%

Midterm Project: 20%

Final Project: 30%

This course takes place in person. It meets weekly. Meetings will involve a mixture of lecturing, discussion, and other activities. Reading assignments and study materials will be provided via eClass.

The main goal is to empower students to think philosophically about the topics we’ll cover, and about other topics they’ll encounter outside this class. The course will focus on teaching students how to think through these topics for themselves, not on teaching them what to think about them.

More particularly, this course aims to help students to…

• Recall concepts and distinctions that are crucial to Hume’s philosophical project, including perception, impression vs. idea, demonstrative reasoning vs. probable reasoning, and others
• Explain these concepts and distinctions in their own words
• Explain some of the central philosophical views presented in Hume’s works
• Explain some of the interconnections among these views
• Explain some of the relations between these views and broader philosophical issues that students will encounter in other courses
• Identify Hume’s arguments in support of their views
• Analyze the arguments they have identified
• Evaluate the arguments they have analyzed
• Write cogent philosophical papers that present this analysis and evaluation with clarity, concision, precision, and accuracy

Course policies

Laptops and Tablets: I allow the use of laptops or tablets for taking notes, and for referring to the assigned readings. But I do not encourage it. Instead, I recommend that you print hardcopies of the readings and bring them to class with you. In class, you can then focus on following the lectures and discussions; taking handwritten notes on the central points; actively raising questions when you find that you can’t follow the lecture or someone else’s contribution; and actively contributing to discussions yourself. If you must use a laptop or tablet during class, you may not browse the web or read/send text messages or other social media during our meetings. This kind of multi-tasking is hugely distracting to students sitting beside and behind you; it’s hugely distracting to you (even if it doesn’t seem to you like it is); and it’s rude and disrespectful to me and to your classmates.

Other electronic devices: No cellphones, smartwatches, or any electronic devices other than laptops and tablets are allowed in class. These devices must be silenced and put away before each meeting, and may not be taken out until the end of the meeting.

Generative AI: All students must comply with the Course Guidance on Use of Generative AI, which will be distributed via eClass.

Recording: You may not record our class meetings, or take photographs in class, without prior express permission from me and from the Philosophy Department. To request the use of assistive technology as an accommodation, please contact Student Accessibility Services (see ‘Accommodations’, below). Please note that any recordings (i) should be used only for educational purposes and as a means for enhancing accessibility; (ii) may not be copied or distributed outside the class (these acts can violate not only copyright laws but also FIPPA); and (iii) must be destroyed after the end of classes.

Grading:  The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.). Assignments and tests will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g.  A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)

For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar - http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/2010-2011/academic/index.htm

Attendance: Attendance is required and counts for 10% of your grade (see above). Per University policy, you may self-report up to two periods of temporary absence during the term. For details, please see: https://students.yorku.ca/absences-and-missed-course-work. Your attendance grade will be adjusted, so that you are not penalized for absences that occur during a legitimate period of self-reported absence. Absences that occur outside of these periods will harm your grade, unless you provide supporting documentation, e.g. an attending physician’s statement.

Missed Tests: If you miss a test that occurs during a legitimate self-reported absence, then the Course Instructor will provide a suitable accommodation, to be decided on a case-by-case basis. If you miss a course test that occurs outside of any legitimate self-reported absence, and you have a documented reason for doing so, e.g. illness, compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation, e.g. an attending physician’s statement, then you may request an accommodation from the Course Instructor. Further extensions or accommodations will require students to submit a formal petition to the Faculty.

Accommodations: If you need any accommodations, please register with Student Accessibility Services as early as possible: https://students.yorku.ca/accessibility

Also, please inform the Course Instructor of any accommodations that you need during class meetings.

Academic Integrity: York students are required to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and they are subject to the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty: http://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/academic-honesty-senate-

policy-on/

The Policy affirms the responsibility of faculty members to foster acceptable standards of academic conduct and of the student to abide by such standards.

There is also an academic integrity website with comprehensive information about academic honesty and how to find resources at York to help improve students’ research and writing skills, and cope with University life. Students are expected to review the materials on the Academic Integrity website at: http://www.yorku.ca/academicintegrity/