Another good book from a good philosopher, Searle's review and proposals concerning the philosophy of mind. He sets out reviewing the dominant threads in the development of philosophy of mind noting and striking at their particular weaknesses. Searle dismisses property and substance dualism but also strikes at the weaknesses of various branches of materialist thinking on the subject. He then proposes his own theory, one that is fundamentally materialistic (physics being for Searle the ultimate basis of all things), but different in that it takes mental properties seriously but rests them firmly on what amounts to "the power and functional purpose of brains".
Searle is an honest philosopher. He states his assumptions, makes clear his reasoning, and knows when his approach to the subject hits a wall that he has not (perhaps yet) found a way round. In this book, like everyone else, he cannot reduce-away the gap between the objective ontology of brains and the subjective ontology of experience. He points out that while every other phenomena in the physical universe can be both logically and physically reduced to some more fundamental phenomena, subjective experience cannot be logically reduced precisely because it is subjective while everything else is objective, public. Of course he assumes that there is some underlying, solely physical, foundation which will become known in time.
The book covers consciousness taken as a whole, a gestalt, and also intentionality (the "about-ness" of our thinking), the aspectral nature of all consciousness, emotions, desires, beliefs, and with these also acts: decisions and volitional control of the body. There is also a chapter on the unconscious, and that too fits perfectly well into his view of what mind is.
Searle runs into two other barriers not normally acknowledged by other philosophers. In a chapter on [libertarian] free will, he says that from a psychological point of view, free will must be real, but from his own view that consciousness is just what the brain does in the same sense that kidneys filter blood, he admits that he cannot figure out how free will could work. He alludes to a popular view that quantum mechanics might have something to do with this, but is honest enough to admit that this idea still does not really answer the question.
The other barrier is that of personal identity, the conviction that although my body and character change I remain, to myself subjectively, the same person today as I was a month or a decade back and that I can plan for the future when, presumably, this same person will still be around to enjoy the fruits of present labor. Here he addresses the "continuity of memory" theory to personal identity and accepts that this is important but is insufficient to explain the phenomenon. That these are MY memories still presupposes some "I" whose memories they are. He denies the "I" is substantive, but merely a functional hypothesis that we must have to make experience intelligible. He admits that he does not know how to get deeper into it than that.
The book is well written (could Searle do otherwise?) with little formality. His assumptions and arguments are clearly made in plain English. It isn't an encyclopedic introduction to the philosophy of mind, but it does touch briefly on the main threads of the field as explored by Western philosophers for the past 300 or so years. His own theory, well expounded, illustrates how subtle and problematic some of the questions in the field can be. A good read. Highly recommended.
Mind: A Brief Introduction (Fundamentals of Philosophy Series)
by
John R. Searle
(Author)
| John R. Searle (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
ISBN-13: 978-0195157338
ISBN-10: 0195157338
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"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." In Mind, Searle dismantles these famous and influential theories as he presents a vividly written, comprehensive introduction
to the mind.
Here readers will find one of the world's most eminent thinkers shedding light on the central concern of modern philosophy. Searle 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 the freedom of the will, the actual operation of mental causation, the nature and functioning of the unconscious, the analysis of perception, and the concept of the self. One of the key chapters is on the mind-body problem, which Searle analyzes brilliantly.
He argues that all forms of consciousness--from feeling thirsty to wondering how to translate Mallarmé--are caused by the behavior of neurons and are realized in the brain system, which is itself composed of neurons. But this does not mean that consciousness is nothing but neuronal behavior. The
main point of having the concept of consciousness, Searle points out, is to capture the first person subjective features of the phenomenon and this point is lost if we redefine consciousness in third person objective terms.
Described as a "dragonslayer by temperament," John Searle offers here a refreshingly direct and open discussion of philosophy, one that skewers accepted wisdom even as it offers striking new insights into the nature of consciousness and the mind.
to the mind.
Here readers will find one of the world's most eminent thinkers shedding light on the central concern of modern philosophy. Searle 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 the freedom of the will, the actual operation of mental causation, the nature and functioning of the unconscious, the analysis of perception, and the concept of the self. One of the key chapters is on the mind-body problem, which Searle analyzes brilliantly.
He argues that all forms of consciousness--from feeling thirsty to wondering how to translate Mallarmé--are caused by the behavior of neurons and are realized in the brain system, which is itself composed of neurons. But this does not mean that consciousness is nothing but neuronal behavior. The
main point of having the concept of consciousness, Searle points out, is to capture the first person subjective features of the phenomenon and this point is lost if we redefine consciousness in third person objective terms.
Described as a "dragonslayer by temperament," John Searle offers here a refreshingly direct and open discussion of philosophy, one that skewers accepted wisdom even as it offers striking new insights into the nature of consciousness and the mind.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
With characteristic verve and wit, Univ. of California at Berkeley philosopher Searle (The Rediscovery of the Mind) dismantles various competing theories of minddualist, materialist, behaviorist and skepticistin this opinionated overview of the philosophy of mind. His purview includes the relationship of the mind to the body, the role of perception in human understanding and the purported equivalence between mind and brain. On dualism, for example, Searle finds Descartess postulation of mind and body as separate spheres leaves no room for consciousness. Searle himself argues for a "biological naturalism" that holds that "conscious states are real phenomena in the real world." Although the language and theory surrounding the philosophy of mind is often technical and complex, Searles knack for presenting dense ideas in lively prose makes this book a fine starting point for an investigation into the contemporary philosophy of mind.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Scientific American
Many of the most time-honored questions in philosophy center on how to analyze and understand the essence of the mind. What motivates us? What makes us conscious? What makes us ourselves? In Mind: A Brief Introduction, Searle aims to introduce the reader to the historical aspects of the philosophy of mind, deconstruct existing theories, and offer new perspectives using logic, personal experiences and cases from neuroscience and psychology research. The opening chapters provide an engaging, easy-to-follow primer. Searle, a professor of philosophy at the University of California at Berkeley, discusses how the work of Descartes and dualismthe idea that mind and body are separatehave colored and discolored the way we define the mind. Searle also examines subsets of monism and materialism, disciplines of thinking that run counter to dualism and became increasingly influential in the 20th century. Searle explains such theories not merely to educate readers but to systematically point out problems in their arguments, then build his proposed philosophy of mind from the debris. He is even-handed, however, admitting that past theories have elements of truth. Searle then sets out to reconcile these beliefs by rethinking specific aspects of the mind, including consciousness, causation and free will. He sharply shows readers his method of analyzing these concepts by applying them to observations of everyday experiences, such as thoughts about his dog. Searle then guides the discussion toward deeper meaning, extrapolating his sensory experience to an internal reflection and logical argument of what his observation says about mental processes. These dialogues eventually flesh out his perspective on the brain versus mind debate. Along the way, Searle ties in examples from neuroscience and psychology to accentuate his ideas, but the book speaks best to readers who want to approach the mind from a primarily philosophical perspective. He fulfills his stated intent of aiding the reader in beginning his or her own reflections on the mind. The historical reviews, coupled with Searles own research and perspectives, provide an excellent starting point.
Nicole Garbarini
Review
"Every thinking person concerned about the mind and its place in the world should own a copy.... It is difficult to convey in a few sentences the forcefulness and common sense of Searle's position, which he labels biological naturalism. A believer in the scientific method, he accepts no mysticism or
denial of the obvious. Whether Searle has truly untangled the Gordian knot of the mind-body problem remains to be seen. But his views are compatible with everything we know about the world and consciousness.... Easy to read, the book keeps philosophical jargon to a minimum. Pound per pound, you
don't get much better value." --Cristof Koch, Science
"An often-fascinating look into a subject we all know intimately--but that even the experts don't fully understand."--Kirkus Reviews
"A chatty gloss on the traditional arguments for separating the human mind from its biology and his own account of this same mind as occurring as a part of nature itself.... A timely book for general collections."--Library Journal
"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
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.
Product details
- Publisher : Oxford University Press (November 1, 2004)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0195157338
- ISBN-13 : 978-0195157338
- Item Weight : 14.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 7.1 x 1.2 x 5.2 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,202,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #990 in Neuroscience (Books)
- #2,024 in Consciousness & Thought Philosophy
- #2,059 in Modern Philosophy (Books)
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 25, 2017
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 9, 2015
Searle is, of course, a prolific commentator and one of his favorite subjects is the mind, consciousness, and the manner in which we might conceptualize them. Here he pulls together ideas from previous works on the discrete aspects of the notion of ‘mind’ and presents them, with additional material, as a general introduction to the subject. This is not a textbook for philosophy students (though it could be used in that way) but more an introduction for the educated general reader.
Each chapter contains a handful of references to further material, but while Searle’s reflections are based on extensive knowledge of the epistemology/neuroscience literature, he does not generally make explicit reference to discrete items within that literature. He will specify an issue, explore the manner in which it has been conceptualized, elucidate problems, itemize pro’s and cons, and so on, but not offer detailed information on those issues beyond their articulation in the thought of a handful of significant philosophers (i.e. Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, et al.). Hence the book is an excellent introduction but not a useful ‘text’ for further reading and exploration by professional philosophers.
Searle makes the material as clear as one can, given the level of explanation which he offers. His examples are often witty and humorous and he is explicit with regard to what he believes, what others believe and the degree of certainty which undergirds his positions. At several points he acknowledges that his answers are less than fully satisfactory, given the nature of the issues and the extent of our current knowledge (particularly with regard to neurobiology).
The book consists of 11 chapters that focus on such issues as materialist explanations, the problem of consciousness, intentionality, free will, the unconscious, the nature of perception and the notion of the self. A three-page epilogue (“Philosophy and the Scientific World-View”) summarizes his general orientation.
The book will be challenging for readers who are not already familiar with the history of modern philosophy, the thought of principal thinkers, and the basic thought of evolutionary psychologists, neuroscientists, et al. A knowledge of Descartes (where so many of the issues and problems begin) and the British empiricists would be especially helpful. While Searle does not utilize jargon for jargon’s sake he does use basic philosophic terms. The real complexity comes when he explores multiple dimensions of a particular issue and explores the arguments that have been used, the positions taken, the schools of thought, the relative forcefulness of individual ideas and the soft underbellies of others. Beginning with a single subject you are suddenly plunged into 10-15 facets of it, each of which carries its own subtleties and, in some cases, its own terminology.
As Tom Stoppard entitles his most recent play on the subject, consciousness is the “hard problem.” Searle elucidates it with as much clarity and finesse as the general reader can reasonably ask.
Each chapter contains a handful of references to further material, but while Searle’s reflections are based on extensive knowledge of the epistemology/neuroscience literature, he does not generally make explicit reference to discrete items within that literature. He will specify an issue, explore the manner in which it has been conceptualized, elucidate problems, itemize pro’s and cons, and so on, but not offer detailed information on those issues beyond their articulation in the thought of a handful of significant philosophers (i.e. Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, et al.). Hence the book is an excellent introduction but not a useful ‘text’ for further reading and exploration by professional philosophers.
Searle makes the material as clear as one can, given the level of explanation which he offers. His examples are often witty and humorous and he is explicit with regard to what he believes, what others believe and the degree of certainty which undergirds his positions. At several points he acknowledges that his answers are less than fully satisfactory, given the nature of the issues and the extent of our current knowledge (particularly with regard to neurobiology).
The book consists of 11 chapters that focus on such issues as materialist explanations, the problem of consciousness, intentionality, free will, the unconscious, the nature of perception and the notion of the self. A three-page epilogue (“Philosophy and the Scientific World-View”) summarizes his general orientation.
The book will be challenging for readers who are not already familiar with the history of modern philosophy, the thought of principal thinkers, and the basic thought of evolutionary psychologists, neuroscientists, et al. A knowledge of Descartes (where so many of the issues and problems begin) and the British empiricists would be especially helpful. While Searle does not utilize jargon for jargon’s sake he does use basic philosophic terms. The real complexity comes when he explores multiple dimensions of a particular issue and explores the arguments that have been used, the positions taken, the schools of thought, the relative forcefulness of individual ideas and the soft underbellies of others. Beginning with a single subject you are suddenly plunged into 10-15 facets of it, each of which carries its own subtleties and, in some cases, its own terminology.
As Tom Stoppard entitles his most recent play on the subject, consciousness is the “hard problem.” Searle elucidates it with as much clarity and finesse as the general reader can reasonably ask.
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Top reviews from other countries
John Saunders
4.0 out of 5 stars
warmly recommended and of the three books I've read covering similar ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 20, 2014
Very slight reservations - I'm not surer Searle quite understands some of the difficulties that the new student to philosophy of mind experiences, especially as getting across an interpretation of mind as material. Perhaps I was expecting too much. Nevertheless, warmly recommended and of the three books I've read covering similar ground, I think it is the best.
Bart
1.0 out of 5 stars
Poor thinking and poor writing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 12, 2021
Rubbish book! I don't recommend - it's utterly uninteresting and badly written.
Kristina Radzeviciute
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 5, 2021
Good book for BSc Psychology students
Lems Lucas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Philosophy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 28, 2019
Searle is a brilliant philosopher, and in this book brings philosophy into the real everyday world.
I recommend it, as a readable, direct, and dazzling account of the human mind.
I recommend it, as a readable, direct, and dazzling account of the human mind.
Brian Dunn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 7, 2016
excellent book










