What is Materialism?

Materialism

In this course, Professor Paul Noordhof (University of York) explores materialism. In the first module, we introduce materialism by explaining matter and the meaning of composition. In the second module, we examine various arguments for materialism from behaviourism, functionalism, and eliminative materialism. In the third module, we look at problems with materialism expressed in the qualia/knowledge and zombie modal arguments, before turning to materialist responses to these arguments in the fourth module. In the fifth module, we examine the nature of material facts and the idea of hidden material properties. In the sixth and final module, we explore the theory of representation and phenomenal consciousness.

What is Materialism?

In this module, we introduce materialism, focusing in particular on (i) conceptions of matter from enlightenment philosophy (ii) issues with explanations of matter arising from modern physics (iii) the constitution of matter, and the complexity of composition (iv) explaining immaterial properties in material terms (v) materialism of the mind (vi) type type identity theory (vii) token token identity theory.