Causality, Interpretation, and the Mind

ISBN-13: 9780198236252 / Angielski / Miękka / 1996 / 248 str.

William Child

Opis

Philosophers of mind have long been interested in the relation between two ideas: that causality plays an essential role in our understanding of the mental; and that we can gain an understanding of belief and desire by considering the ascription of attitudes to people on the basis of what they say and do. Many have thought that those ideas are incompatible. William Child argues that there is in fact no tension between them, and that we should accept both. He shows how we can have a causal understanding of the mental without having to see attitudes and experiences as internal, causally interacting entities and he defends this view against influential objections. The book offers detailed discussions of many of Donald Davidson's contributions to the philosophy of mind, and also considers the work of Dennett, Anscombe, McDowell, and Rorty, among others. Issues discussed include: the nature of intentional phenomena; causal explanation; the character of visual experience; psychological explanation; and the causal relevance of mental properties.

Recenzje

excellent. With clarity and precision, Child level-headedly steers us through many interrelated issues, judiciously presenting arguments and counter-arguments, and always keeping us well posted as to how the pieces fit into the big picture. Child offers a coherent and compelling picture of his subject.