Philosophy of MindThis engaging and thought-provoking introduction to philosophy of mind covers all the central questions regarding the mind. Taking a novel approach for an introductory text, authors Paul Gilbert, Kathleen Lennon, and Steve Burwood argue that the dominant theories are based on flawed Cartesian assumptions and presuppositions about the nature of mind and body. Beginning with an examination of the Cartesian roots of contemporary philosophy of mind and rationality, the authors show that, despite rejecting mind-body dualism in favour of materialism, most recent philosophies of mind are still Cartesian -- they share a Cartesian conception of the body while adopting a reductionist approach to the mind. Providing a welcome alternative to texts such as Churchland's Matter and Consciousness, the authors develop an alternative position called perspectivalism, which is based on a metaphysics of the body characterized intentionally and combines elements of both Anglo-American and Continental traditions. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
action agent appropriate argued argument attribute behaviour beliefs Blackwell bodily movements body brain Cambridge capture Cartesian dualism causal causal explanations causal explanatory causal role Chapter characterized claim colour conception Cottingham Daniel Dennett Davidson deer Dennett Descartes desires distinct Donald Davidson doppelgänger dualism ence environment example experience explain explanatory physicalism external fact functional functionalist grasp higher-level human Ibid imagine inner instantiated intelligible intentional content intentionality internalist interpretationalism inverted spectrum involved judgements language of thought Lennon mental Merleau-Ponty Nagel narrow content natural normative objects ontological Oxford patterns perception perspective phenomenal properties philosophy of mind physical level physical properties physicalist private language argument problem psychological kinds qualia qualitative character rationalizing links reason reason-giving reductive reflexive consciousness relation requires response Routledge scientific semantic sensations sense simply sort spatial supervenience Swampman teleological theory things tion tional type/type understanding University Press