Philosophy · Year 13

Active learning ideas

The Problem of Other Minds

The Problem of Other Minds is an epistemological challenge: how can we be sure that other people have conscious experiences like our own? Since we only have direct access to our own minds, we must infer the existence of others. Students evaluate the 'argument from analogy' (Mill) and the 'best hypothesis' argument.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• AQA A-Level Philosophy 7172: 3.2.2.1 The problem of other minds
• DfE Philosophy AS and A-level subject content: Metaphysics of mind

• 15–30 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Simulation Game
• 30 min · Small Groups

Simulation Game: The Turing Test

One student is behind a screen (or on a chat app) and another is a 'bot'. A third student must ask questions to determine which is the 'real' mind. This highlights the difficulty of knowing if behaviour implies consciousness.

How can we know that other people have conscious experiences?

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Inquiry Circle
• 25 min · Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The Argument from Analogy

Students map out the logic: 'I have a mind and behave X; you behave X; therefore you have a mind'. They then work in groups to find as many 'weak links' in this analogy as possible.

Is the argument from analogy sufficient to prove other minds?

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 15 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: The Solipsism Challenge

Students try to come up with one piece of evidence that *proves* they aren't the only mind in the universe. They share with a partner and then discuss why solipsism is so hard to disprove logically.

Does solipsism pose a genuine philosophical threat?

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• Solipsism is a popular belief.

  Almost no one is a solipsist, but it is a 'logical trap' philosophers use to test the strength of our knowledge. Using a 'skeptic's advocate' role play helps students see solipsism as a tool rather than a lifestyle.

• We can 'see' that people are conscious.

  We only see behaviour (smiles, tears, speech). Active observation exercises where students describe 'just the movements' of a classmate help them realise how much 'mind' they are projecting onto others.

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Methods used in this brief

• Simulation Game
• Inquiry Circle
• Think-Pair-Share