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Arguing About the Mind

• Edited by Brie Gertler, Lawrence Shapiro

Price: $36.95add to cart

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• Price: $36.95
• Binding: Paperback (also available in Hardback)
• Pages: 624
• Published by: Routledge
• Publication Date: 14th May 2007
• ISBN: 978-0-415-77163-4

About the Book

Arguing About the Mind is an accessible, engaging introduction to the core questions in the philosophy of mind. This collection offers a selection of thought-provoking articles that examine a broad range of issues from the mind and body relation to animal and artificial intelligence. Topics addressed include:

• the problem of consciousness
• the nature of the mind
• the relationship between the mind, body and world
• the notion of selfhood
• pathologies and behavioural problems
• animal, machine and extra-terrestrial intelligence.

The editors provide lucid introductions to each section and give an overview of the debate and outline the arguments of the papers. An original and stimulating reader, it is ideal for students new to the philosophy of mind.

Reviews

'I think this is brilliant. In conception and execution, the anthology does something which is both original and needed as a teaching resource ... the editors motivate the philosophical questions in a fresh and illuminating way, with an excellent choice of readings based around problems which will have occurred to most thoughtful philosophy students.' - Tim Crane, University College London, UK

'Arguing About the Mind makes use of original sources to introduce problems in the philosophy of mind in a way calculated to be intelligible to readers with no previous background in philosophy. By relying on readings intended for a broad audience, Gertler and Shapiro deftly sidestep technical disputes of the kind that too often deter students encountering serious philosophical writing for the first time. The result is a stunning topical introduction to philosophy via the philosophy of mind.' - John Heil, Washington University in St Louis, USA

Table of Contents

Introduction Part 1: Consciousness: What is the Problem? Part 2: Consciousness: How Should it be Studied? Part 3: Is the Mind Physical? Part 4: How is your Mind Related to your Body? How is it Related to the World? Part 5: What is the Self? Part 6: What Can Pathological Cases Teach us about the Mind? Part 7: How Can we Know Whether – And What – Non-Human Animals Think? Part 8: Can Machines Think? Part 9: Is There Intelligent Life on Other Planets?

About the Author(s)

Brie Gertler is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Virginia, USA.

Larry Shapiro is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.