The nature of the mind. An introduction

This text provides a comprehensive and lucid introduction to the major themes in philosophy of mind. It carefully explores the conflicting positions that have arisen within the debate and locates the arguments within their context. It is designed for those who are newcomers to the subject and assumes no previous knowledge of philosophy of mind. Clearly written and rigorously presented, this book is ideal for use in undergraduate courses in philosophy of mind. Main topics covered include the problem of other minds, the dualist/physicalist debate the nature of personal identity and survival and mental-state concepts. The book closes with a number of pointers towards more advanced work in the subject. Study questions and suggestions for further reading are provided at the end of each chapter.
Contents: 1. The problem of other minds 1. The problem 2. Attempted solutions to the problem 3. The uniqueness of consciousness 4. Certainty and meaning Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 2. Strong dualism: body and soul 1. Developing an argument for dualism 2. Difficulties for strong dualism 3. Hume´n bundles 4. Against the bundle theory Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 3. Identity and the soul 1. The concept of identity 2. Soul identity over time 3. Soul identification at a time 4. The argument for dualism reconsidered Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 4. Rationalism, Empiricism, and the soul 1. Rationalism versus Empiricism 2. Should we be Empiricists? 3. The empirical evidence for the soul 4. Alternative explanations Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 5. The case for physicalism 1. Arguments for mind-brain identity 2. Ramifications: types, tokens and other minds 3. Difficulties for mind-brain identity 4. The necessity of identity Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 6. After-life for physicalists 1. Resurrection 2. Reincarnation 3. Double difficulties or secondary survival? 4. Limits of individual survival Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 7. The case for theory-theory 1. From Cartesian conception to philosophical functionalism 2. Theory-theory and its opponents 3. Developing the theory: theorizing versus innateness 4. The problem of other minds revisited Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 8. Problems and prospects 1. Artificial minds 2. Free will 3. Intentionality 4. Consciousness.