Mind and Body

By Robert Kirk

His careful selection of topics and clear discussions provide readers with a solid and reliable framework for their own inquiries. He offers insights into what is puzzling about the main problems, what is important in the main theories, and what is good or bad about the main arguments. The first chapter briefly introduces the main problems, theories, and arguments.

The next three chapters discuss dualism, physicalism, and some hard problems for physicalism, especially those concerning phenomenal consciousness. Next come chapters on behaviourism and functionalism, then one on minds and machines. The issue of explaining intentionality is then considered in more depth, with discussions of Fodor's doctrine of the language of thought and Dennett's modified instrumentalism. The final chapters examine the main theories of consciousness and conclude with the author's own approach. Each chapter ends with a summary of the main points and suggestions for further reading.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0773526749
• ISBN13: 9780773526747
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 7.8"