Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Open University

Introducing consciousness

The Open University via OpenLearn

Overview

Save Big on Coursera Plus. 7,000+ courses at $160 off. Limited Time Only!
What is consciousness? How does the brain generate consciousness and how can a science of the mind describe and explain it adequately? This free course, Introducing consciousness, will introduce you to the slippery phenomenon that is consciousness, as well as some of the difficulties consciousness presents to science and philosophy.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Consciousness
  • 1 Consciousness
  • 2 Defining consciousness
  • 2 Defining consciousness
  • 2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2 What it's like
  • 2.3 Some distinctions
  • 3 The elusiveness of consciousness
  • 3 The elusiveness of consciousness
  • 4 The problem of consciousness
  • 4 The problem of consciousness
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Naturalism and reductive explanation
  • 4.3 The easy problems and the hard problem
  • 4.4 Physicalism and the hard problem
  • 4.5 The function of consciousness
  • 5 Conclusion
  • 5 Conclusion
  • References
  • Further reading
  • Acknowledgements

Reviews

4 rating at OpenLearn based on 3 ratings

Start your review of Introducing consciousness

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.