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The Mental and the Sciences
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:42:57
Abstract
The notions of mind, soul, rationality, emotionality, and subjectivity — gathered together under the name “the mental” — have traversed the history of European thought in many guises and vocabularies. This lecture will trace the contours of the tensions that arose between modern scientific and philosophical approaches of the mental esp. since the 19th century in Europe.
Objective
To acquire knowledge of the conceptual history relating to the field of the mental, and to develop an understanding of the challenges faced by objectifying sciences and their relationship to normative questions.
Content
The notions of mind, soul, rationality, emotionality, and subjectivity — gathered together under the name “the mental” — have traversed the history of European thought in many guises and vocabularies. Since Descartes’ 17th‑century scientific programme, however, the mental has assumed a peculiar status: it has become, at once, indispensable to our self‑understanding and troublesome for the empirical sciences in their pursuit of objectivity. The 19th century saw the birth of biology and psychology, and with them the bold aspiration to submit “the mental” itself to the methods of objective inquiry. Yet such endeavours soon encountered resistance from philosophy — a resistance grounded in the conviction that the mental is inextricably entangled with normative questions, questions that no science which objectifies its subject matters can wholly contain or resolve. This lecture will trace the contours of that tension, moving between its systematic stakes and its historical trajectory. It invites us to reflect on a problem that continues to shape the very way we think about thought itself.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | The Mental and the Sciences |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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