Introducing Philosophy
1 total work
"Philosophy of Mind: An Introduction" is a student-orientated introduction to one of philosophy's most active and popular areas. It is aimed at readers with little or no background in philosophy and covers a broad range of issues. Included are such standard topics as mind/body, personal identity, consciousness, intentionality and freedom of will, as well as other issues within the subject but rarely included in elementary introductions: "after-death experience", minds of animals and of God, supervenience, folk psychology, mental illness, altruism, weakness of will and happiness. The book is divided into nine chapters which can be read independently as distinguishable essays, or in sequence. It begins with a discussion of the nature of philosophy of mind and ends with an application of the concept of consciousness to moral debate over animal liberation. It is supported by consideration of classical and contemporary figures ranging from St. Thomas Aquinas, Descartes and Hume to Paul Churchland, Donald Davidson, Daniel Dennett and John Searle. The text is aimed at first year undergraduates and above in philosophy of mind and philosophical psychology.