The Minds of the Moderns
The Minds of the Moderns

Author: Janice Thomas

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-12-05

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 1317492412

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This is a comprehensive examination of the ideas of the early modern philosophers on the nature of mind. Taking Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, and Hume in turn, Janice Thomas presents an authoritative and critical assessment of each of these canonical thinkers' views of the notion of mind. The book examines each philosopher's position on five key topics: the metaphysical character of minds and mental states; the nature and scope of introspection and self-knowledge; the nature of consciousness; the problem of mental causation and the nature of representation and intentionality. The exposition and examination of their positions is informed by present-day debates in the philosophy of mind and the philosophy of psychology so that students get a clear sense of the importance of these philosophers' ideas, many of which continue to define our current notions of the mental.Again and again, philosophers and students alike come back to the great early modern rationalist and empiricist philosophers for instruction and inspiration. Their views on the philosophy of mind are no exception and as Janice Thomas shows they have much to offer contemporary debates. The book is suitable for undergraduate courses in the philosophy of mind and the many new courses in philosophy of psychology.

New Essays on the A Priori
New Essays on the A Priori

Author: Paul Boghossian

Publisher: Clarendon Press

Published: 2000-10-26

Total Pages: 494

ISBN-13: 0191529079

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The topics of a priori knowledge and a priori justification have long played a prominent part in epistemology and the theory of meaning. Recently there has been a surge of interest in the proper explication of these notions. These newly commissioned essays, by a distinguished, international group of philosophers, will have a substantial influence on later work in this area. They discuss the relations of the a priori to meaning, justification, definition and ontology; they consider the role of the notion in Leibniz, Kant, Frege and Wittgenstein; and they address its role in recent discussions in the philosophy of mind. Particular attention is also paid to the a priori in logic, science and mathematics. The authors exhibit a wide variety of approaches, some remaining sceptical of the notion itself, some proposing that it receive a non-factualist treatment, and others proposing novel ways of explicating and defending it. The editors' Introduction provides a helpful route into the issues.

Essays In Radical Empiricism
Essays In Radical Empiricism

Author: William James

Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan

Published: 2023-10-01

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13:

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Embark on a journey of intellectual exploration with "Essays in Radical Empiricism" by William James, a groundbreaking collection of essays that challenges traditional notions of reality, perception, and knowledge. Prepare to engage with profound philosophical ideas as James invites readers to question the nature of consciousness and the foundations of human understanding. In "Essays in Radical Empiricism," William James offers readers a thought-provoking exploration of the fundamental principles that shape our understanding of the world. Drawing from his pioneering work in psychology and philosophy, James presents a radical vision of empiricism that seeks to expand the boundaries of human knowledge and perception. Explore the themes and motifs that permeate "Essays in Radical Empiricism," from the nature of experience to the role of consciousness in shaping our understanding of reality. James's exploration of these themes offers readers a transformative perspective on the nature of existence and the limits of human cognition. Through rigorous analysis and insightful commentary, James challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about the nature of reality and the foundations of knowledge. From his critique of traditional philosophical frameworks to his exploration of the mysteries of consciousness, each essay offers readers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of history's most influential thinkers. The overall tone and mood of "Essays in Radical Empiricism" are as thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating as the ideas it explores. James's prose is both erudite and accessible, inviting readers to grapple with complex philosophical concepts in a manner that is engaging and enlightening. Since its publication, "Essays in Radical Empiricism" has been celebrated as a seminal work in the field of philosophy and psychology. James's radical vision of empiricism continues to inspire generations of scholars and thinkers, offering a framework for understanding the nature of reality and the mysteries of human consciousness. Whether you're a student of philosophy or simply curious about the nature of existence, "Essays in Radical Empiricism" promises to challenge your assumptions and expand your horizons. Join William James on a journey of intellectual discovery, and explore the profound implications of radical empiricism for our understanding of the world. Don't miss your chance to engage with the groundbreaking ideas of "Essays in Radical Empiricism" by William James. Let its thought-provoking insights and transformative vision of reality inspire you to question the nature of existence and explore the depths of human consciousness.

Between Rationalism and Empiricism
Between Rationalism and Empiricism

Author: Erhard Scheibe

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2002-12-06

Total Pages: 648

ISBN-13: 9780387985206

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Scheibe is one of the most important philosophers of science in Germany. He has written extensively on all the problems that confront the philosophy of physics: rationalism vs. empiricism; reductionism; the foundations of quantum mechanics; space-time, and much more. Since little of his work has been translated into English, he is not yet well known internationally. However, this collection of some 40 of his papers will remedy this unfortunate situation.

Essays on Realism and Rationalism
Essays on Realism and Rationalism

Author: Alan Musgrave

Publisher: Rodopi

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 388

ISBN-13: 9789042004184

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A collection of essays (1971-1999) centering on the philosophy of science. Musgrave, a philosopher whose academic affiliations are not given, defends realism, partly from an appeal to common sense. He discusses anti-realist trends in Anglo-American philosophy (Wittgenstein, instrumentalism, construc

New Essays on the Rationalists
New Essays on the Rationalists

Author: Rocco J. Gennaro

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 410

ISBN-13: 019512488X

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This collection presents some of the most vital and original recent writings on Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz, the three greatest rationalists of the early modern period. Their work offered brilliant and distinct integrations of science, morals, metaphysics, and religion, which today remain at the center of philosophical discussion. The essays written especially for this volume explore how these three philosophical systems treated matter, substance, human freedom, natural necessity, knowledge, mind, and consciousness. The contributors include some of the most prominent writers in the field, including Jonathan Bennett, Michael Della Rocca, Jan A. Cover, Catherine Wilson, Stephen Voss, Edwin Curley, Don Garrett, and Margaret D. Wilson.

Knowledge
Knowledge

Author: Jennifer Nagel

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 153

ISBN-13: 019966126X

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What is knowledge? Is it the same as opinion or truth? Do you need to be able to justify a claim in order to count as knowing it? How can we know that the outer world is real and not a dream? Questions like these have existed since ancient times, and the branch of philosophy dedicated to answering them - epistemology - has been active for thousands of years. In this thought-provoking Very Short Introduction, Jennifer Nagel considers the central problems and paradoxes in the theory of knowledge and draws attention to the ways in which philosophers and theorists have responded to them. By exploring the relationship between knowledge and truth, and considering the problem of scepticism, Nagel introduces a series of influential historical and contemporary theories of knowledge, incorporating methods from logic, linguistics, and psychology, using a number of everyday examples to demonstrate the key issues and debates. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Out of Error
Out of Error

Author: David W. Miller

Publisher: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 9780754650683

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David Miller is the foremost exponent of the purist critical rationalist doctrine and here presents his mature views, discussing the role that logic and argument play in the growth of knowledge, criticizing the common understanding of argument as an instrument of justification, persuasion or discovery and instead advocating the critical rationalist view that only criticism matters. Miller patiently and thoroughly undoes the damage done by those writers who attack critical rationalism by invoking the sterile mythology of induction and justification that it seeks to sweep away. In addition his new material on the debate on verisimilitude is essential reading for all working in this field.