Mind-Body Problem (eBook)
266 Seiten
Elsevier Science (Verlag)
978-1-4831-5012-3 (ISBN)
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.
Front Cover 1
The Mind–Body Problem: A Psychobiological Approach 4
Copyright Page 5
Table of Contents 6
Preface 10
Introduction 14
CHAPTER 1. The Mind-Body Problem 18
1. The problem and its main proposed solutions 18
2. Preliminary examination of rival views 19
3. Pro dualism 27
4. Contra dualism 33
5. Emergentist psychoneural monism 38
6. Brief history 42
CHAPTER 2. The Organ 49
1. Basic framework 49
2. Neural units 52
3. Neuronism, holism, systemism 56
4. Development and evolution 61
5. Initial definitions 64
6. Basic assumptions on plasticity 73
7. Is the CNS a machine? 76
CHAPTER 3. The Functions 82
1. Brain functions 82
2. Representation of CNS activity 84
3. Mental states and processes 90
4. Mind-matter interaction 100
5. Where is the mind? 105
6. Mentalist predicates 108
CHAPTER 4. Sensation and Perception 113
1. Sensors and sensing 113
2. Perception 117
3. Interlude: Ding an sich versus Ding für uns 122
4. Perceptual maps 124
5. Visual adaptation and pattern recognition 128
6. Abnormal perception 132
CHAPTER 5. Behavior and Motivation 137
1. Definitions and principles 137
2. Drive, value, choice 143
CHAPTER 6. Memory and Learning 152
1. Memory 152
2. Learning 157
3. Expectation and purpose 164
4. Nature and nurture 168
CHAPTER 7. Thinking and Knowing 172
1. Thinking 172
2. Cognition 179
3. Creativity 184
4. The "world" of the creations of the human mind 186
CHAPTER 8. Consciousness and Personality 191
1. Awareness and consciousness 191
2. Degrees of consciousness 195
3. Will 199
4. Self 202
5. Person 204
CHAPTER 9. Sociality 208
1. Social behavior 208
2. The cement of social groups 211
3. Communication 215
4. Protoeconomy, protoculture, protopolity 219
5. Humanness 221
6. Upshot 224
CHAPTER 10. Conclusion: Towards Understanding Mind 226
1. Types of psychological explanation 226
2. The threat of dualism and the promise of monism 233
Epilogue: A Behavioral Approach 237
Glossary of Technical Terms 241
Bibliography 243
Index of Names 260
Index of Subjects 264
Erscheint lt. Verlag | 9.5.2014 |
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Sprache | englisch |
Themenwelt | Schulbuch / Wörterbuch ► Lexikon / Chroniken |
Geisteswissenschaften ► Psychologie | |
Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie | |
Technik | |
ISBN-10 | 1-4831-5012-7 / 1483150127 |
ISBN-13 | 978-1-4831-5012-3 / 9781483150123 |
Informationen gemäß Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR) | |
Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |

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