Overview

A course for people who wonder what the 'mind' is, and how we can understand it, and how the way in which we choose to describe it colours our perception of what it is. No previous knowledge is assumed -just an enquiring mind.

Description

Metaphors help us understand the human condition and are useful thinking tools in psychology and philosophy as well as literature. In this course we will look at how metaphors guide our understanding of mind.

Across centuries, philosophers, scientists, and artists have been preoccupied with the human mind and its complex processes. From Aristotle’s theory of forms to Shakespeare’s psychologically revealing monologues, the formulation many thinkers have reached takes the shape of a metaphor. Is the mind connected to that physiological entity, the brain? Is it simply a product of physiological processes, the ‘hard-wiring’ of neurons and synapses? Is the mind a black box, whose input and output are observable, while its internal processes remain secret?

In order to engage these questions, we will examine the ways in which philosophy, science, and literature have complemented each other in their efforts to construct metaphors for the mind. This course is intended to be interdisciplinary in nature, and will be loosely based on courses that are taught on an advanced undergraduate or graduate level. With this in mind, my intention is to make our class as engaging and discussion-based as possible. Students will be encouraged to keep a journal for the week tracing these metaphors of mind. We will make use of multimedia and movie presentations that complement the literature.

We will study excerpts from the literature, so the reading is not as massive as it looks! The programme below can be altered to suit students’ interests.

Course Structure

Day 1: Classical Metaphors of Mind

• Historical Contextualisation

• The Theory of Forms: Plato and Aristotle (Republic, Rhetoric, Poetics)

• Philosophical Psychology, Emotions and the Mind: Martha Nussbaum (Upheavals of Thought)

• The Psychological Transformation of Greek Drama: Sophocles (Electra)

Day 2: Renaissance Metaphors of Mind

• Historical Contextualisation

• Student Presentations

• The Psychology of Guilt: Dante (The Divine Comedy)

•  Manipulation and Political Metaphor: Machiavelli (The Prince)

• The Psychology of Drama/Acting: Shakespeare (Hamlet, Measure for Measure)

Day 3: The Age of Enlightenment

• Historical Contextualisation

• Student Presentations

• Rewriting Aristotle and the Age of Enlightenment: Newton (Principia); Descartes (Discourse on Method)

• Humour and the Attack of Optimism: Voltaire (Candide)

• The Market and the Mind: Adam Smith (Wealth of Nations)

Day 4: Romantic and Victorian Metaphors of Mind

• Historical Contextualisation

• Student Presentations

• Union of Man with Nature: Schelling (Naturphilosophie)

• Poetry as Outpouring of the Mind and Heart: Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron (Lyrical Ballads, Selected excerpts from other poetry)

• Will, Impulses, and Control: Victorian medical theorists (Maudsley, Prichard, Haslam)

• The Woman Author and Victorian Psychology: Charlotte Brontë (Jane Eyre, Villette)

Day 5: Modern and Postmodern Metaphors of Mind

• Historical Contextualisation

• Student Presentations

• A Return to Classical Drama, Psychology through Literature: Freud (Interpretation of Dreams, Theory of Sexuality)

• Social and behavioural metaphors for the mind: Havelock Ellis, B.F. Skinner

• Biological and Cognitive models: Stimuli and response

• Existential Drama: Beckett (Waiting for Godot), Brecht (Mutter Courage)

• Questions and Final discussion

Notes

This is one of our adult courses, which constitute part of the Academy's continuing education division. We offer summer courses in literature, science, philosophy, psychology, music, art. film, and architecture. New courses are frequently added to the website, so if this course does not match your requirements, keep checking the website. In addition, we can make tailor-made courses to suit your requirements - just email us at admin@oxford-royale.co.uk, and let us know what you are looking for.

Accommodation

Students stay in Wadham College, one of the most traditional Oxford University colleges. Located right in the centre of city, Wadham is near all the famous colleges and museums, which makes it ideal for an inspiring study break! The Wadham College website contains practical information about your stay.

Excursions – Oxford Based

Included in the course fees, is a full schedule of sightseeing activities and social events in the city of Oxford. For a sample timetable go to www.oxford-royale.co.uk/tours2007.html and view the Corpus Christi timetable.

Excursions - Outside Oxford

Students wishing to travel outside Oxford, can visit places of historic interest, such as London, Hay-on-Wye, Bath and Blenheim Palace. These tours are an additional cost to the standard programme.

Application

You can either book online or you can download a paper application form and send it back to us.

If you require any support, please either email us or give us a call on +44 (0) 845 130 60 21.

Deposit

There is a booking deposit of £395.00 to accompany your application. Confirmation of your place will be sent to you once your application form has been processed.