The Nature of the Mind An Introduction

Many people throughout the course of human history, across all human cultures, have believed themselves to be distinct from their physical bodies, and have used this belief to ground a hope for some form of life after death. The nature of the mind examines whether, and if so how, such beliefs can be rationally grounded.
Clearly written and rigorously presented, this book is intended for use in undergraduate courses in philosophy of mind.
Main topics covered include:
- the problem of other minds,
- the dualist/physicalist debate
- the nature of personal identity and survival
- mental-state concepts
The book closes with a number of pointers towards more advanced work in the subject, especially concerning recent debates about intentionality and consciousness.

The Nature of the Mind is a comprehensive and lucid introduction to major themes in the philosophy of mind. It carefully explores the conflicting positions that have arisen within the debate and locates the arguments within their context. It is designed for newcomers to the subject and assumes no previous knowledge of the philosophy of mind. Clearly written and rigorously presented, this book is ideal for use in undergraduate courses in the philosophy of mind.Main topics covered include:* the problem of other minds* the dualist/physicalist debate* the nature of personal identity and survival* mental-state conceptsThe book closes with a number of pointers towards more advanced work in the subject. Study questions and suggestions for further reading are provided at the end of each chapter.The Nature of the Mind is based on Peter Carruthers' book, Introducing Persons, also published by Routledge (1986).

List of figures Preface Introduction 1. The problem of other minds 1. The problem 2. Attempted solutions to the problem 3. The uniqueness of consciousness 4. Certainty and meaning Conclusion Questions for discussionFurther reading 2. Strong dualism: body and soul 1. Developing an argument for dualism 2. Difficulties for strong dualism 3. Hume'n bundles 4. Against the bundle theory Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 3. Identity and the soul 1. The concept of identity 2. Soul identity over time 3. Soul identification at a time4. The argument for dualism reconsidered Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 4. Rationalism, empiricism, and the soul 1. Rationalism versus Empiricism 2. Should we be Empiricists?3. The empirical evidence for the soul 4. Alternative explanations Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 5. The case for physicalism 1. Arguments for mind-brain identity 2. Ramifications: types, tokens and other minds 3. Difficulties for mind-brain identity 4. The necessity of identity Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 6. After-life for physicalists 1. Resurrection 2. Reincarnation 3. Double difficulties or secondary survival? 4. Limits of individual survival Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 7. The case for theory-theory 1. From Cartesian conception to philosophical functionalism 2. Theory-theory and its opponents 3. Developing the theory: theorizing versus innateness 4. The problem of other minds revisitedConclusion Questions for discussion Further reading 8. Problems and prospects 1. Artificial minds 2. Free will3. Intentionality 4. Consciousness Conclusion Questions for discussion Further reading Index

Peter Carruthers is Professor and Chair of Philosophy at the University of Maryland. His recent books include Phenomenal Consciousness (2000), The Philosophy of Psychology (1999) and Language, Thought and Consciousness (1996).