A Dozen Problems in the Philosophy of Mind
Mind A Brief Introduction November 1, 2004 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195157338.003.0002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Key points | Argues that standard positions in philosophy of mind—dualism, materialism, behaviorism, functionalism, computationalism, eliminativism, and epiphenomenalism—are false, and proposes an alternative approach to central questions in the field. |
Abstract
Abstract The aim of this book is to introduce the reader to the philosophy of mind. I have three objectives. First, the reader should get an understanding of the most important contemporary issues and discussions in this field, and also get some understanding of their historical background. Second, I want to make clear what I think is the correct way to approach these problems, and I even hope to provide answers to many of the questions I pose. And third, most important of all, I would like the reader to be able to think about these issues for himself or herself after reading the book. I can state all of these aims at once by saying that I am trying to write the book that I wish I had read when I first began to think about these questions. I write out of the conviction that the philosophy of mind is the most important subject in contemporary philosophy and that the standard views—dualism, materialism, behaviorism, functionalism, computationalism, eliminativism, epiphenomenalism—are false.