In the Shadow of Descartes: Essays in the Philosophy of Mind

ISBN-13: 9789048150113 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 180 str.

Georg Henrik Von Wright

Opis

Descartes made a sharp distinction between matter and mind. But he also thought that the two interact with one another. Is such interaction possible, however, without either a materialist reduction of mind to matter or an idealist (phenomenalist) reduction of matter to mind? These questions overshadow the Western tradition in metaphysics from the time of Descartes to present times.
The book makes an effort to stay clear of reductivist views of the two Cartesian substances. It defends a dualistic psycho-physical parallel theory which reconciles freedom of action with determinism in nature. Basic problems in perception theory are also discussed, with special emphasis on hearing and sound.
Because of the intrinsic interest of the subject and the author's non-technical presentation of it, the book should appeal to all readers with a serious interest in philosophy and psychology.

Spis treści

Preliminary. Of Human Freedom. Sensations and Perceptions. Thing and Quality. Substance. An Essay on Door-Knocking. Notes on the Philosophy of Mind. On Mind and Matter. A Note on Causal Explanation of Bodily Movement and Rational Explanation of Action. A Note on Timing Consciousness. On Sound. Concluding Postscript. On Pain and Sound. Index of Persons. Subject Index.