An Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind

by KeithMaslin (Author)

Synopsis

??AAAn Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind??AA provides a lively and accessible introduction to all the main themes and arguments currently being debated in this area. The book examines and criticizes four major theories of mind: Dualism, Mind/Brain Identity, Behaviourism and Functionalism. It argues that while consciousness and our mental lives depend upon physical processes in the brain, they are not reducible to those processes. The differences between mental and physical states, mind/body causality, the problem of other minds, and personal identity are also explored in full.The second edition of this well respected text has been revised to include a new chapter which explores Aristotles??AA' philosophy of psychology and mind. It also includes new material on the Turing test and has been expanded and updated throughout. The book is designed to help students think for themselves about all the issues identified above, and contains exercises throughout the text to stimulate and challenge the reader. Objectives are clearly set out at the start of every chapter to enable students to check their understanding as they proceed, and each chapter ends with questions to consider. There are discussions of the most cited contemporary writers in the field, so that the reader can gain a rounded perspective of the debates.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Publisher: Polity Press
Published: 11 Jul 2001

ISBN 10: 0745616887
ISBN 13: 9780745616889

Media Reviews
'The philosophy of mind is a vibrant part of contemporary philosophy, dealing with issues that affect our understanding of our own nature as human beings. This book is a lucid and masterly survey of the problems that arise in this area, written in a way that should encourage readers to think for themselves about the issues.'Professor Roger Trigg, University of Warwick Maslin's book stretches far beyond its remit of being a text for sixth year pupils and first year university students. Its thoughtful structure and style provides an inviting introduction to a complex area of philosophy, whilst also extending the knowledge of any inquiring reader far beyond introductory level material. His style is engaging with an enjoyable element of interactivity provided in each chapter by the 'Questions to think about' and the 'Exercises', yet nothing is trivialised. The reader is never misled about the difficulty of some of the material, and when difficult material is encountered it is presented in a neat and methodical manner so that an attentive reader will benefit greatly. Dr Susan Stuart, University of Glasgow
Author Bio
K. T. Maslin is Head of Philosophy at Esher Sixth Form College in Surrey.