Philosophy of Mind: The Key Thinkers

Description

Exploring what great philosophers have written about the nature of thought and consciousness Philosophy of Mind: The Key Thinkers offers a comprehensive overview of this fascinating field. Thirteen specially commissioned essays, written by leading experts, introduce and explore the contributions of those philosophers who have shaped the subject and the central issues and arguments therein. The modern debate about the mind was shaped by Descartes in the seventeenth century, and then reshaped in the mid-twentieth century, and since, by exciting developments in science and philosophy. This book concentrates on the development of philosophical views on the mind since Descartes, offering coverage of the leading thinkers in the field including Husserl, Ryle, Lewis, Putnam, Fodor, Davidson, Dennett and the Churchlands. Crucially the book demonstrates how the ideas and arguments of these key thinkers have contributed to our understanding of the relationship between mind and brain. Ideal for undergraduate students, the book lays the necessary foundations for a complete and thorough understanding of this fascinating subject.

Andrew Bailey is an Associate Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Top-notch contributors weigh in on an excellent selection of key figures bookended by Bailey's own excellent overviews. This volume is a must read for anyone who wants to get up to speed on both the history and the cutting edge in the philosophy of mind. * Pete Mandik, Professor of Philosophy, William Paterson University of New Jersey, USA * Philosophy of Mind: The Key Thinkers provides a unique entry to current philosophy of mind. By focusing on "key thinkers" rather than the typical topics based approach, we see the core problems and their development in a fresh light. The book also provides delightful digressions into the biographies and personalities of some of these philosophers. * William Seager, Professor of Philosophy, University of Toronto, Canada *