Philosophy of Mind: A Beginner's Guide

by Edward Feser

Book Overview

In this lively and entertaining introduction to the philosophy of mind, Edward Feser explores the questions central to the discipline; such as 'do computers think', and 'what is consciousness'; and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1851684786
• ISBN13: 9781851684786
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: ONEWorld Publications
• Length: 267 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Great Intro Book - overview of deep philosophical concepts

Dr. Edward Feser is a favorite author of mine. I’ve enjoyed several of his books. Cartesian viewpoint’s and concepts both thought-provoking and Easily accessible or digestible. I have much affinity for René Descartes philosophical questions and idea’s. Really enjoy how this book takes Descartes concepts and beautifully brings in B. Russell, Karl Popper, Leibniz, and Aristotle + other A1 philosophers.

Great coverage of themes in a small space

I was interested in the Thomistic view of the mind and soul per another book of Feser. It does not cover as much as I thought, but goes over the competing theories at a reasonable length. Includes comprehensive further reading guide for all the themes covered. The book didn't dissapoint at all. Quite the opposite. WARNING: ATTENTIVE FOLLOWING OF THE ARGUMENTS PRESENTED IN THIS BOOK MAY ACTUALLY ASTONISH YOU. I'm glad I bought it so I can reference later. Great buy.

Probably the introduction to the philosophy of mind

The book aims are to provide a solid introduction both to the traditional arguments against materialism and to the contemporary arguments in favor of it. The author does an excellent job of achieving that. His use of clear and simple language in explaining complex arguments provide the mind with enough light to shine the path to understand the twist and turn of the philosophy of mind. By including a further reading material (not just a list) at the end of each chapter makes it very easy to widen one's scope to understand each and every idea one is interested in.

superb overview

If you want a brief but comprehensive overview of the philosophy of mind, I can't think of a better book. Prof. Feser is quite good at describing the opposing views of what the human mind is, meaning: the materialist approach which views the mind as the product of purely physical states and interactions, and the dualist approach which views the mind as fundamentally unphysical--and he is fair to both sides. Indeed, as his closing chapter on the virtues of the classical approach to the mind makes clear, he finds the modern dualist and materialist views both...unsatisfying. Well written with excellent examples.

Highly Recommended

In THE PHILOSOPHY OF MIND: A SHORT INTRODUCTION, Prof. Edward Feser provides an excellent introduction to this branch of philosophy. Not surprisingly, Prof. Feser starts with the contemporary genesis of the issue in the writings of Descartes and proceeds to the various attempts by materialists to reduce or explain mental events by purely physical processes. This book is introductory in nature and doesn't presuppose any knowledge of philosophy. Given its broad scope, it could even be used as an introductory work in philosophy. Prof. Feser hits some of the basics of epistemology such as realism and idealism. He also incorporates a fair amount of metaphysics as well, discussing personal identity and the question of universals. However, it can be a bit hard going at times, if for no other reason than many of the theories used to defend materialism are difficult to understand and even a bit strange. I found that skipping over the difficult parts and going back to them later to be helpful Unlike other introductions I've read, Prof. Feser interacts with Thomas Aquinas and the contemporary school of analytical Thomism. The glossary was quite helpful. (For some reason, my copy of the book is entitled "PHILOSOPHY OF MIND", leaving out "THE".)