Philosophy of Mind: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to the fundamental philosophical questions and theories about the mind. The author Amy Kind, a leading expert in the field, examines central issues concerning the nature of consciousness, thought, and emotion. The book addresses key questions such as:
- What is the nature of the mind?
- What is the relationship between the mind and the brain?
- Can machines have minds?
- How will future technology impact the mind?
With a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further reading, Philosophy of Mind: The Basics is an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a lively and accessible introduction to the rich and complex study of philosophy of mind.
1. Mind and Mentality
What is philosophy of mind?
An inventory of our mental life
How philosophers study the mind
Theories of mind: a rough overview
What lies ahead
Concluding summary
Further reading
2. Dualism
Cartesian dualism
Contemporary versions of dualism
Concluding summary
Further reading
3. Physicalism
General motivations for physicalism
Different versions of physicalism
General problems for physicalism
Concluding remarks
Further reading
4. Functionalism
The roots of functionalism
What is functionalism?
Assessing functionalism: considerations in favor
Assessing functionalism: problems
Concluding remarks
Further reading
5. Machine Minds
Animal mentality
Can machines think?
Can machines feel?
Concluding remarks
Further reading
6. The Future of the Mind
Mind extensions
Mind uploading
Mind mergers
A real-life case?
Concluding remarks
Further reading.
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Biography
Amy Kind is Russell K. Pitzer Professor of Philosophy at Claremont McKenna College, USA. She is editor of　Philosophy of Mind in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries (volume six of The History of the Philosophy of Mind, Routledge 2016) and of The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Imagination (2016). She has also authored the introductory textbook Persons and Personal Identity (2015).
"This is an excellent book: very clear, very accessible for undergrads or even high-school students, and it manages to achieve this without dumbing down the core ideas too much. It is by far the best intro to philosophy of mind I have ever read." - Bence Nanay, University of Antwerp, Belgium
