Synopses & Reviews
Wittgenstein and Contemporary Philosophy of Mind aims to reassess the work of Wittgenstein in terms of its importance to contemporary debates surrounding the philosophy of mind.The first part of this study examines Wittgenstein in the context of current views on the human mind in relation to the body and behavior. The arguments confront the views of Quine and Dennett, as well as functionalism, eliminative materialism, and the current debate about consciousness. The essays that make up the second part focus on a particular psychological concept, thinking, imagining, sensation, knowledge, and reason. This study takes a fresh look at this established thinker and demonstrates both the relevance and power of his arguments in the 21st century.
Synopsis
Each essay in this volume discusses some prevalent views in contemporary philosophy of mind by confronting them with Wittgensteinian ideas. Part One addresses the views of Quine and Dennett, including functionalism, eliminative materialism and the current debate about consciousness. Part Two assembles essays that focus each on one particular psychological concept, namely thinking, imagining, sensation, knowledge and reason.
About the Author
Severin Schroeder is Lecturer in Philosophy, Christ Church, Oxford.
Table of Contents
Part I: Conceptions of the Mind* Wittgenstein and Quine: Mind, Language and Behaviour--Hans-Johann Glock * The Functionalist's Inner State--Roger Teichmann * Consciousness: "The Last Mystery"--Oswald Hanfling * Eliminative Materialism--P. M. S. Hacker * Wittgenstein and Dennett on Patterns--Michel Ter Hark * Part II: Some Mental Concepts* Mental Imagery--Stewart Candlish * Thought and its Expression--Robert L. Arrington * Are Reasons Causes? A Wittgensteinian Response to Davidson--Severin Schroeder * Knowledge and Self-Knowledge--John Hyman * Wittgenstein and "the Whereabouts of Pain"--Edward Harcourt