Arguing About the Mind (Arguing about Philosophy) (Paperback)

~ Brie Gertler (Editor), Lawrence Shapiro (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

Product Description

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, give an overview of the debate and outline the arguments of the papers. An original and stimulating reader, Arguing About the Mind is ideal for students new to the philosophy of mind.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; New edition edition (June 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415771633
• ISBN-13: 978-0415771634
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,002 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Modernist take on the Mind (A clear 5 star effort), November 22, 2009

By	Herbert L Calhoun "paulocal" (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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This book is an Anthology of both seminal and topical articles on the philosophy of the mind. It elaborates on a wide range of theories of mind advanced by philosophers as they go about the business of doing what they do best: thinking, reasoning and trying to advance the frontiers of logic and human understanding.

Here we get the philosopher's take on how the mind operates, how it relates to the non-mental world, the relationship between mind and body, and the nature of self (itself). It also includes lessons learned from mental illnesses, from split-brain research, as well as the controversy over the existence of animal consciousness and animal intelligence. It concludes with two of the sexiest topics in philosophy of the mind today: artificial intelligence, and whether there are intelligent beings on other planets. All of the stars of contemporary philosophy are present and at their very best.

Although Bertrand Russell's essay "What is the soul," is thrown in for good measure, in general classicists may be disappointed, as the book in general is pitched towards the present and the future. Although clearly intended for college students of philosophy (and is not the last word in any case), it is nonetheless carefully selected and is accessible to a wider more general audience.

The book is divided into nine sections: I.-II. Consciousness (What is the problem? and How should it be studied?); III. Is the mind physical? IV. How is the mind related to the body? V. What is self? VI. What can pathological cases teach us about the mind? VII. How can we know whether - and what - non-human animals think? VIII. Can machine think? IX. Is there intelligent life on other planets?

Each of the nine sections begin with a clear, informative introduction to the questions it covers. They give an overview of the topics, including questions and suggestions for additional reading. Even if the reader picks and chooses he will be more than satisfied. Clearly a five star effort.