The Oxford Companion to the Mind [Paperback]

Richard L. Gregory (Editor), O. L. Zangwill (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198602243 | ISBN-13: 978-0198602248 | Publication Date: February 25, 1999

With 1001 A-Z entries, ranging from brief statements to substantial essays on major topics, The Oxford Companion to the Mind takes the reader on a lively tour of this endlessly fascinating subject, spanning questions and answers within the broad compass of philosophy, psychology, and the physiology of the brain. This hugely-popular reference work offers an explanatory guide to everyday mysteries--deja vu, jet-lag, humor, and optical illusions--as well as an intelligent look at the more controversial world of parapsychology, including ESP and altered states of consciousness. Current issues such as aging, artificial intelligence, and criminology are examined in depth. The book provides a special tutorial article on the workings of the nervous system, and boasts a great number of articles on 'topics of mental life', in which well-known writers discuss subjects in which they have a particular expertise or interest.

The entries are arranged alphabetically and linked by a network of helpful cross-references. The 200 illustrations have been carefully chosen to amplify the text, while specialist bibliographies provide suggestions for further reading. The whole work is served by a comprehensive index, making this a Companion for instant reference as well as continuous reading.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A field of 216 contributors filled this tome with savory items from Abacus to Zeno of Elea. In between there are 819 pages of 1001 entries, all in some way expanding our understanding of psychology, philosophy and the physiology of the brain. Like all excellent references, you could easily, happily get lost perusing, but it also happens to be excellently well indexed. Been wondering about the hippocampus or Thomas Hobbes, introversion or tautologies? Wonder no more, or at least wonder with more acumen. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This dictionary approach to the human mind comprises topical definitions and discussions by over 100 authorities and scholars. The bias is distinctly British, and more attention is paid to the trenchant issues of neurophysiology than to the elaboration on philosophical theories in their historical complexity. Like some of the other Oxford Companions in print, this volume is by turns annoyingly quirky and engaging for the inveterate browser. However, the topics it undertakes to discuss can be researched more satisfactorily in other, more traditional references, including medical dictionaries, subject encyclopedias of philosophy and the social sciences, and the contributors' own full-length works. Recommended only for intellectually oriented browsing collections. Index not seen. Francisca Goldsmith, Golden Gate Univ. Lib, San Francisco
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 880 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198602243
• ISBN-13: 978-0198602248
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #940,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Oxford Companion to The Mind, August 20, 2005

By 

Dr. Greg (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oxford Companion to the Mind (Hardcover)

I am slowly moving through this tome, enjoying every moment spent there. This text, now in 2nd edition (2004), is an excellent overview of many psychological aspects of the human mind. It is clearly written. Articles pertaining to scientific studies of the mind, and psychology of human behavior, are thoroughly researched; helpful bibliographies provide a stimulus to "dig deeper." This book deserves a place next to other psych-related texts in your personal library.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Reference! Just About Perfect!, January 24, 2005

By 

S. Henkels (Devon, Pa United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Oxford Companion to the Mind (Hardcover)

This 800-page classic reference, on a difficult and hugely multi-faceted subject, appears to cover just about every possible area in this huge category! Not only is it a stupendous browser, but one can practically read it from start to finish without getting too difficult or scientific, for an interested amateur like myself. And there are drawings, diagrams ,sketches covering children's art, illusions, on and on. Plus short bios of the greats (like Newton,Hegel,Rosseau, Sartre, Kant,,etc, etc),plus many lessor known ,but perhaps of equal distinction..Subjects like religion, magic, medicine, out of body experiences, hallucinations, are given active note, not to mention some less known, but still interesting subjects. So if you have a chance, pick this one up. It's also guaranteed to initiate an interest in lots of things you may know absolutely nothing about beforehand! Definitely one of those desert island books that will never go out of style!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Amazed, October 31, 2004

By 

Eliza Fewitt "eliza fewitt" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oxford Companion to the Mind (Oxford Companions) (Hardcover)

Richard Gregory arguably knows more about the human brain than any man alive. This second edition of the Oxford Companion to the Mind has over 200 contributors, over a thousand entries and a million words and in it is much that is new since the first edition (1987.) Out goes Freud (well, not quite; he is still there, but much more strictly edited; ditto Jung et al.) and in comes a huge amount of new and riveting brain research. This is still a philosophical and historical as well as a scientific work of immense learning that will divert and entertain as well as explain: it will expand your mind and change the physical interconnections of your brain. There are short pithy entries, sometimes delightfully quirky, often witty; there are longer, more complex contributions on a myriad of wide-ranging subjects, sometimes technical but always understandable, accessible even for the non-scientist reader. It ranges from mirror cells, face recognition, and drama to how we see art; from Aristotle to puzzles; from the hippocampus to shellshock. It covers language, memory, imagination and intelligence: are all clearly explained. There are three mini-symposia on consciousness, brain imaging and artificial intelligence. This is not just a dazzling reference book but also a diverting bed-side book for artist and scientist alike.