The Philosopher's Habitat

Laurence Goldstein

Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Part I: Theory of Mind and the Philosophy of Psychology 1. What is pain? 2. The mystery of dreaming 3. What are thoughts made of? 4. Prospects for artificial intelligence Part II: Philosophy of Language and Logic 5. Humor as a guide to the study of language 6. Speaking your mother tongue: nature or nurture? 7. This statement is false 8. The Sorites paradox: vagueness and slippery slopes 9. Logic and reasoning Part III: Epistemology 10. The Surprise Examination 11. How are knowledge and belief related? 12. Why are we taught what we are taught? Part IV: Ethical and Social Issues 13. The right to life 14. Patriotism and racism 15. Love and fidelity 16. How (if at all) should we be governed? Part V: Science and Metaphysics 17. The myth of simplicity 18. Free action in a material world 19. The world as we perceive it and as it really is 20. Is it rational to fear being dead? 21. Arguments for and against God’s existence Index