Philosophy of Mind: An Introduction

Philosophy of Mind: An Introduction is a lively and accessible introduction to one of philosophy’s most active and important areas of research.In this second edition, George Graham maintains the strengths, structure, and overall features of the first, but expands its scope, deepens the detail, and reinforces the student-oriented style and coverage. The book is aimed at readers with little or no background in philosophy and covers a broad range of issues. Included are such central topics as the mind/body problem, personal identity, consciousness, intentionality and freedom of the will, as well as others rarely included in elementary introductions such as after-death experience , minds of animals and of God, folk psychology, mental illness, altruism, weakness of will and happiness.The book begins with a crisp introduction to the nature of the philosophy of mind, and ends with a provocative discussion of the causal role of consciousness in depression and schizophrenia. It is supported by consideration of classical and contemporary figures ranging from St. Thomas Aquinas, Descartes and Hume to the Churchlands, Daniel Dennett, and John Searle. It is the ideal text for a first course in philosophy of mind.