Mind: A Brief Introduction

by John R. Searle

Overview

"The philosophy of mind is unique among contemporary philosophical subjects," writes John Searle, "in that all of the most famous and influential theories are false." One of the world's most eminent thinkers, Searle dismantles these theories as he presents a vividly written, comprehensive introduction to the mind. He begins with a look at the twelve problems of philosophy of mind—which he calls "Descartes and Other Disasters"—problems which he returns to throughout the volume, as he illuminates such topics as materialism, consciousness, the mind-body problem, intentionality, mental causation, free will, and the self. The book offers a refreshingly direct and engaging introduction to one of the most intriguing areas of philosophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195157345
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/28/2005
Series:	Fundamentals of Philosophy Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.56(w) x 8.02(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

John R. Searle is Mills Professor in the Department of Philosophy, University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of many books, including The Rediscovery of the Mind, The Mystery of Consciousness, Mind, Language and Society, Philosophy in the Real World, and Consciousness and Language.

Table of Contents

AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Why I Wrote This Book1. A Dozen Problems in the Philosophy of Mind2. The Turn to Materialism3. Arguments against Materialism4. Consciousness Part I: Consciousness and the Mind-Body Problem5. Consciousness Part II: The Structure of Consciousness and Neurobiology6. Intentionality7. Mental Causation8. Free Will9. The Unconscious and the Explanation of Behavior10. Perception11. The SelfEpilogue: Philosophy and the Scientific World-ViewNotesSuggestions for Further ReadingIndex

Editorial Reviews

"Searle has written a forceful, clear, accessible and fascinating introductory book that explains much more convincingly than anything else his iconoclastic view that both materialism and dualism are false. Searle vigorously explores the big issues in philosophy of mind, always keeping the deepest intuitions about the mind in focus."—Ned Block, New York University

"Mind finishes with a chapter whose title says it all, 'Philosophy and the Scientific World-View.' That masterful, three-page essay should top the required-reading list in every high school and college around the world. I believe that every thinking person concerned about the mind and its place in the world should own a copy. Easy to read, the book keeps philosophical jargon to a minimum. Pound per pound, you don't get much better value."—Science, Christof Koch, California Institute of Technology

From the Publisher