Consciousness and Human Values
Course: Consciousness and Human Values
Institute: IIIT Pune — F.Y. B.Tech Semester II (AY 2025-2026)
Credits: 2 (2L)
Examination: Theory — 100 Marks
This page organizes Unit-wise comprehensive notes covering the full Consciousness & Human Values syllabus. The course explores philosophical questions about the mind, artificial intelligence, consciousness, near-death experiences, and human values through landmark papers and thought experiments.
Unit-wise Notes
Unit I — Minds, Brains, and Programs: The Behavioural and Brain Sciences
John Searle’s 1980 paper; Strong AI vs Weak AI; Syntax vs Semantics; Intentionality; Schank’s Programme (MARGIE); The Chinese Room Experiment; The Turing Test & its insufficiency; Six Responses (Systems, Robot, Brain Simulator, Combination, Other Minds, Many Mansions) with Searle’s counter-arguments; Simulation vs Duplication.
Unit II — Perspective on Psychological Science: The Future of Psychology, Connecting Mind to Brain
The future of psychology; Connecting mind to brain; Psychological science perspectives.
Notes coming soon.
Unit III — The Phenomenon of Claimed Memories of Previous Lives
Possible interpretations and importance of claimed memories of previous lives.
Notes coming soon.
Unit IV — Near Death Experiences: Evidence of Life after Death
Near-death experiences; Evidence and interpretations; Life after death debate.
Notes coming soon.
Unit V — The Hard Problem of Life
How are consciousness and human values significant? The hard problem of consciousness.
Notes coming soon.