uwloo

PHIL 356Intelligence in Machines, Humans, and Other Animals

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Philosophy
Cross-listed
COGSCI 300

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Intelligence is the capacity to learn, understand, reason, act, and manage other mental functions. Students will learn to systematically compare intelligence as it operates in computers, humans, and other animals. Students will engage with general questions about the nature and kinds of intelligence as well as examine how intelligence is realized in computers and animals. Through an examination of both standard measures of intelligence and less orthodox characterizations of the concept of intelligence, students will develop a broad understanding of cognition and its application within and outside of the biological realm.

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    • PHIL256 - Introduction to Cognitive Science (0.50)
    • PSYCH256 - Introduction to Cognitive Science (0.50)

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

4 posts and comments in 3 threads mention PHIL 356, October 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Winter 2020

Psych 256 vs Phil 256 1 point, 5 comments

u/Pocky27: “… psych 256 let's you take more courses afterwards tho like phil356. I was going to take phil145 but saving it for an inclass semester. Also will I be able to do okay considering I've never taken a psych or Phil course in my life? …”

u/12345goose: “They're the exact same course. You can take Phil 356 after taking Psych 256 or Phil 256. The only difference is whether it says Psych 256 or Phil 256 on your transcript”

View on RedditRemove this

Fall 2019

3rd year PHIL courses 3 points, 0 comments

u/phillyHelp: “I'm looking to complete my depth reqs in philosophy by taking a 3rd year course, but not sure which ones are easy/interesting. Are there any with no final? How are PHIL 380, 384, 356 in terms of workload and marking schemes?”

View on RedditRemove this

Fall 2017

Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments

“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”

u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”

u/Jackhofmann: “… PHIL 256 PHIL 258 PHIL 265 PHIL 283 PHIL 284 PHIL 319J PHIL 320 PHIL 327 PHIL 329 PHIL 340 PHIL 356 PHIL 371 PHIL 420 PHIL 459 PHIL 482 PHIL 498 PHIL 670 PHIL 673 PHIL 675 PHIL 680A PHIL 696 PHIL 698 PHIL 699 PHS 601 PHS 602 PHS 604 PHS 605 PHS 607 PHS 613 PHS 614 PHS 615 PHS …”

View on RedditRemove this

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar