Bunge The Mind-Body Problem

A Psychobiological Approach
1. Auflage 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4831-5012-3
Verlag: Elsevier Science & Techn.
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 266 Seiten, Web PDF

The Mind-Body Problem: A Psychobiological Approach examines the mind-body problem from a psychobiological perspective. It intends to show that the idea of a separate mental entity is not only unwarranted by the available data and the existing psychological models, but collides head-on with the most fundamental ideas of all modern science and is thus a stumbling block to progress. The book abandons ordinary language in favor of the state space language, which is mathematically precise and is shared by science and scientific philosophy. Comprised of 10 chapters, this monograph begins with an overview of the mind-body problem and its main proposed solutions, classified into main genera: psychophysical monism and psychophysical dualism. In particular, ten views on the mind-body problem are analyzed, along with three main varieties of materialism with regards to the problem: eliminative, reductive (or leveling), and emergentist. The discussion then turns to the notion of a concrete or material system, based on the assumption that behavior is an external manifestation of neural processes. Subsequent chapters explore the specific functions of the central nervous system; sensation and perception; behavior and motivation; memory and learning; thinking and knowing; and consciousness and personality. The book also considers sociality and social behavior in animals before concluding with an assessment of a psychological explanation of the mind, with emphasis on dualism and monism. This work will be of interest to students, academicians, practitioners, and investigators in the fields of psychobiology, psychology, neurophysiology, and philosophy.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Bunge, Mario

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Front Cover;1
2;The Mind–Body Problem: A Psychobiological Approach;4
3;Copyright Page;5
4;Table of Contents;6
5;Preface;10
6;Introduction;14
7;CHAPTER 1. The Mind-Body Problem;18
7.1;1. The problem and its main proposed solutions;18
7.2;2. Preliminary examination of rival views;19
7.3;3. Pro dualism;27
7.4;4. Contra dualism;33
7.5;5. Emergentist psychoneural monism;38
7.6;6. Brief history;42
8;CHAPTER 2. The Organ;49
8.1;1. Basic framework;49
8.2;2. Neural units;52
8.3;3. Neuronism, holism, systemism;56
8.4;4. Development and evolution;61
8.5;5. Initial definitions;64
8.6;6. Basic assumptions on plasticity;73
8.7;7. Is the CNS a machine?;76
9;CHAPTER 3. The Functions;82
9.1;1. Brain functions;82
9.2;2. Representation of CNS activity;84
9.3;3. Mental states and processes;90
9.4;4. Mind-matter interaction;100
9.5;5. Where is the mind?;105
9.6;6. Mentalist predicates;108
10;CHAPTER 4. Sensation and Perception;113
10.1;1. Sensors and sensing;113
10.2;2. Perception;117
10.3;3. Interlude: Ding an sich versus Ding für uns;122
10.4;4. Perceptual maps;124
10.5;5. Visual adaptation and pattern recognition;128
10.6;6. Abnormal perception;132
11;CHAPTER 5. Behavior and Motivation;137
11.1;1. Definitions and principles;137
11.2;2. Drive, value, choice;143
12;CHAPTER 6. Memory and Learning;152
12.1;1. Memory;152
12.2;2. Learning;157
12.3;3. Expectation and purpose;164
12.4;4. Nature and nurture;168
13;CHAPTER 7. Thinking and Knowing;172
13.1;1. Thinking;172
13.2;2. Cognition;179
13.3;3. Creativity;184
13.4;4. The "world" of the creations of the human mind;186
14;CHAPTER 8. Consciousness and Personality;191
14.1;1. Awareness and consciousness;191
14.2;2. Degrees of consciousness;195
14.3;3. Will;199
14.4;4. Self;202
14.5;5. Person;204
15;CHAPTER 9. Sociality;208
15.1;1. Social behavior;208
15.2;2. The cement of social groups;211
15.3;3. Communication;215
15.4;4. Protoeconomy, protoculture, protopolity;219
15.5;5. Humanness;221
15.6;6. Upshot;224
16;CHAPTER 10. Conclusion: Towards Understanding Mind;226
16.1;1. Types of psychological explanation;226
16.2;2. The threat of dualism and the promise of monism;233
17;Epilogue: A Behavioral Approach;237
18;Glossary of Technical Terms;241
19;Bibliography;243
20;Index of Names;260
21;Index of Subjects;264