A splendid, highly accessible and lucid introduction. The arguments are engaging and provide a refreshing challenge to some of the conventional assumptions in the field.– “Charles Taliaferro”
An excellent way for students to be introduced to the topic.– “William Hasker – Professor of Philosophy, Huntington College, Indiana”
Feser has a feel for the enduring problems…an excellent introduction.– “John Haldane – Professor of Philosophy, University of St Andrews, UK”
Tightly written and admirably clear… Fesar covers just the right topics, and does so judiciously and fairly… a refreshing, provocative, and important addition to the introductory books in philosophy of mind. It should appear on every reading list.– “David Oderberg – Professor of Philosophy, University of Reading, UK”
“A splendid, highly accessible and lucid introduction. The arguments are engaging and provide a refreshing challenge to some of the conventional assumptions in the field.”
(Charles Taliaferro)
“Feser has a feel for the enduring problems…an excellent introduction.”
(John Haldane – Professor of Philosophy, University of St Andrews, UK)
“An excellent way for students to be introduced to the topic.”
(William Hasker – Professor of Philosophy, Huntington College, Indiana)
“Tightly written and admirably clear… Fesar covers just the right topics, and does so judiciously and fairly… a refreshing, provocative, and important addition to the introductory books in philosophy of mind. It should appear on every reading list.”
(David Oderberg – Professor of Philosophy, University of Reading, UK)
From the Back Cover
How do you know that you really picked up this book and didn’t just dream that you did? Is the mind nothing more than the brain? Could a computer ever be conscious? In this lively and accessible introduction to the philosophy of mind, Edward Feser tackles these and other questions, giving clear explanations of all the most important theories, from the classic accounts of Descartes and Aquinas to the latest developments in the literature on computing and cognitive science. Using straightforward language without sacrificing philosophical depth, this guide outlines the major schools of thought and their different perspectives on consciousness, personal identity, and the mind-body problem. It takes seriously the arguments both for and against dualism – the view that there is a real distinction between mind and body – and is thus the first introductory text to reflect the frowing challenge by contemporary philsophers to the dominant materialist doctrine. Full of examples and scenarios, and featuring a glossary of key terms and chapter by chapter guides to further reading, this is a clearly written, balanced and up-to-date introduction to one of the most popular fields in modern philosophy.
About the Author
Edward Feser teaches philosophy at Pasadena City College, California. He is the author of On Nozick and editor of The Cambridge Companion to Hayek.
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