PH0255 Philosophy in Science Fiction

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2012
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Josef Krob, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Josef Krob, CSc.
Department of Philosophy – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Hana Holmanová
Supplier department: Department of Philosophy – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 10:50–12:25 J21
Prerequisites (in Czech)
PH_PoZ Qualifying Exam. in Phil. || PHK_PoZ Qualifying Exam. in Phil. || PROGRAM(N-PH) || PROGRAM(N-HS) || PROGRAM(N-SS)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of the course students will have been introduced to the possibilities and particular cases of the use of thought experiments in literature as well as so selected philosophical problems portrayed in fiction. The goal of the course is to enhance the creative part of critical thinking while respecting the requirements of logical consistency and formal correctness.
Syllabus
  • The introduction of selected philosophical questions by an interactive way and their reflection using sci-fi literature.

  • This will be rather a workshop than a lecture!

    1. The creation of universes, the emergence of the world
  • 2. The sign, name and reality
  • 3. Evolution, meaning of life
  • 4. Social determinism
  • 5. Space, time
  • 6. Mind, body, solipsism and realism
  • 7. Artificial intelligence
  • 8. The historical role of a mistake
  • 9. The Judgment Day
Literature
    required literature
  • LEM, Stanisław. Golem XIV (Přít.) : Dokonalá prázdnota ; Golem XIV. info
  • Arthur Clark: Zpráva o třetí planetě. Devět miliard božích jmen. Praha, Práce 1982
  • Isaac Asimov: Nadace.
  • Isaac Asimov: …že jsi naň pamětliv. Roboti a androidi, Praha, Svoboda 1988, s. 404–426.
    recommended literature
  • ASIMOV, Isaac. Já, Asimov :paměti. Translated by Pavel Medek. Vyd. 1. Praha: Český spisovatel, 1996, 661 s. ISBN 80-202-0608-6. info
  • LEM, Stanislaw. Summa technologiae. Praha: Magnet-Press, 1995, 328 s. ISBN 80-85847-47-7. info
  • LEM, Stanisław. Kyberiáda : bajky kybernetického věku. V Praze: Československý spisovatel, 1983. info
Teaching methods
Lecture based on assigned reading, discussion and text analysis.
Assessment methods
Essay (5400 characters) based on one seminar topic or one that emerged in the discussions. Essays will be followed by a discussion in colloquium (terms set in IS). Studets´ task will be to discuss, defend the feasibility and relevance for philosophy. No need to solve the problems :), it is sufficient to present them clearly and show the ability to participate in a well-reasoned discussion based on the knowledge of facts. Topics: 1. Mathematics, physics, logic and their relationship to physical reality. 2. Language and reality. 3. Evolution, chance, meaning 4. Time and space 5. Mind, body, idea and reality 6. Artificial intelligence 7. History, determinism, plan and spontaneity 8. Man, nature and ethics 9. Communication (inter-species, inter-civilization...)
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
http://www.phil.muni.cz/fil/sci-fi/program.html
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2000, Spring 2001, Spring 2002, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2011, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2012, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2012/PH0255