Philosophy of Mind: An Introduction

Developments in the philosophy of mind over the last 20 years have dramatically changed the nature of the subject. In this major new introduction, Tim Bayne presents an outstanding overview of many of the key topics, problems, and debates, taking account not only of changes in philosophy of mind itself but also of important developments in the scientific study of the mind. The following topics are discussed in depth: What distinguishes a physicalist conception of the mind? Behaviourism, the identity theory, functionalism, and eliminativism as accounts of the mental The nature of perception, including the issue of perceptual transparency, the admissible contents of perception, and the question of unconscious perception The nature of thought, including the language of thought hypothesis, Searle’s Chinese room argument, and the Turing test The basis of intentional content Externalist accounts of content and the ‘extended mind’ thesis Consciousness-based objections to physicalism, and illusionist and panpsychist conceptions of consciousness Theories of consciousness, including methodological issues in the study of consciousness Mental causation, including both philosophical and scientific challenges The problem(s) of other minds, including knowledge of non-human minds Self-knowledge Personal identity and the nature of the self The book features a number of boxes that provide a more in-depth look at particular issues. Also included are chapter summaries, guides to further reading, and a helpful glossary of terms. Written by a leading figure in the field, Philosophy of Mind: An Introduction is an invaluable core text for any student coming to philosophy of mind for the first time.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: A Map of the Mind 1. Marks of the Mental 2. Physicalism 3. How to be a Physicalist 4. Perception 5. Thought 6. Grounding Intentionality 7. Externalism and the Extended Mind 8. The Metaphysics of Consciousness 9. Theories of Consciousness 10. Mental Causation 11. Other Minds 12. Self-Knowledge 13. The Self Conclusion: The Mind-Body Problem. Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Tim Bayne is Professor of Philosophy at Monash University, Australia. He is the author of The Unity of Consciousness (2010), Thought: A Very Short Introduction (2013), and Philosophy of Religion: A Very Short Introduction (2018); and an editor of Delusion and Self-Deception (2008), The Oxford Companion to Consciousness (2009), and Cognitive Phenomenology (2011). He is a Senior Fellow in the CIFAR Brain, Mind, and Consciousness program.

Review :
‘This is a marvelous introduction to the philosophy of mind. It focuses on the foundational issues that have made philosophy of mind such a vital area of inquiry for the last 50 years. And it places those issues in the context of contemporary research in both philosophy and science. The book deftly integrates the scientific work without losing sight of the deep philosophical problems. Bayne also achieves an excellent balance of accessibility and philosophical precision. It is likely to become the standard text on philosophy of mind for years to come.’ - Shaun Nichols, Cornell University, USA ‘This is a superb introduction to the philosophy of mind. Bayne focuses on fundamental aspects of mentality such as perception, thought, intentionality, consciousness, and the self, presenting the central debates in the field in a way that is both empirically informed and up to date. Each chapter is lucidly written and provides a skillfully crafted narrative. He has achieved the remarkable feat of writing a highly accessible book without ever sacrificing rigor or simplifying arguments. A jewel that belongs in every classroom!’ – René Jagnow, University of Georgia, USA ‘An ideal introduction to the subject by a leader in the field. It covers the traditional big questions, including the mind-body problem, mental causation, and self-knowledge. But it is also on the cutting edge, featuring detailed discussions of recent hot topics. And it is unique among introductions to the subject in giving a prominent place to both empirical considerations and a priori philosophical arguments. Lucidly written and neatly organized throughout, Bayne’s introduction will be a delight for students and teachers alike.’ - Adam Pautz, Brown University, USA ‘Tim Bayne covers a diverse array of both traditional and cutting-edge topics with clarity, depth, and rigor, making this book an excellent introduction to philosophy of mind and a fantastic launching pad for further investigation. Highly readable and accessible, it is a pleasure to read!’ - Angela Mendelovici, Western University, Canada ‘This is a terrific book! Bayne accomplishes the near-impossible task of giving the reader a sense of both the core issues in philosophy of mind, and the current state of the discipline and where it’s heading. Written in plain English, it does a very good job of explaining complicated issues in a clear manner.’ - Raamy Majeed, University of Auckland, New Zealand ‘This is a much-needed update to current introductory offerings in the philosophy of mind. Engaging and clear, Bayne presents philosophical problems in ways that will excite and motivate his readers. Most importantly, he demonstrates how empirical work can be used to evaluate philosophical theories, serving as an invaluable role-model for future generations of philosophers of mind.’ - Jane Suilin Lavelle, University of Edinburgh, UK