PHV416 Philosophy and Science Fiction: Selected Chapters

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 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
Supplier department: Department of Philosophy – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Mon 18:00–19:40 D22
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! PH0255 Philosophy in Science Fiction
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.
Learning outcomes
- formulate a non-traditional query - define solvability conditions - solutions beyond standard thinking formulas - argumentative essay
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
  • LEM, Stanisław. Golem XIV (Přít.) : Dokonalá prázdnota ; Golem XIV.
  • Isaac Asimov: Nadace.
  • Isaac Asimov: …že jsi naň pamětliv. Roboti a androidi, Praha, Svoboda 1988, s. 404–426.
  • LEM, Stanislaw. Summa technologiae. Praha: Magnet-Press, 1995. 328 s. ISBN 80-85847-47-7.
  • Arthur Clark: Zpráva o třetí planetě. Devět miliard božích jmen. Praha, Práce 1982
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. Students´ 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 (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: kombinovaná forma: 16 hodin/semestr.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2020/PHV416