ABSTRACT

This carefully designed, multi-authored textbook covers a broad range of theoretical issues in cognitive science, psychology, and neuroscience. With accessible language, a uniform structure, and many pedagogical features, Mind, Cognition, and Neuroscience: A Philosophical Introdution is the best high-level overview of this area for an interdisciplinary readership of students. Written specifically for this volume by experts in their fields who are also experienced teachers, the book’s thirty chapters are organized into the following parts:

I. Background Knowledge
II. Classical Debates
III. Consciousness
IV. Crossing Boundaries

Each chapter starts with relevant key words and definitions and a chapter overview, then presents historical coverage of the topic, explains and analyzes contemporary debates, and ends with a sketch of cutting edge research. A list of suggested readings and helpful discussion topics conclude each chapter. This uniform, student-friendly design makes it possible to teach a cohort of both philosophy and interdisciplinary students without assuming prior understanding of philosophical concepts, cognitive science, or neuroscience.

Key Features:

  • Synthesizes the now decades-long explosion of scientifically informed philosophical research in the study of mind.
  • Expands on the offerings of other textbooks by including chapters on language, concepts and non-conceptual content, and animal cognition.
  • Offers the same structure in each chapter, moving the reader through an overview, historical coverage, contemporary debates, and finally cutting-edge research.
  • Packed with pedagogical features, like defined Key Terms, Suggested Readings, and Discussion Questions for each chapter, as well as a General Glossary.
  •  Provides readers with clear, chapter-long introductions to Cognitive Neuroscience, Molecular and Cellular Cognition, Experimental Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Science, Metaphysical Issues, and Epistemic Issues. 

part I|109 pages

Background Knowledge

part II|123 pages

Classical Debates

chapter Chapter 10|15 pages

Modularity

chapter Chapter 12|16 pages

Language

chapter Chapter 13|15 pages

Mental Content

chapter Chapter 14|15 pages

Concepts and Nonconceptual Content

chapter Chapter 15|19 pages

Animal Cognition

part III|115 pages

Consciousness

chapter Chapter 16|15 pages

Kinds of Consciousness

chapter Chapter 17|14 pages

Philosophical Theories of Consciousness

chapter Chapter 18|14 pages

Neurobiological Theories of Consciousness

chapter Chapter 19|14 pages

The Unity of Consciousness

chapter Chapter 20|17 pages

Attention

chapter Chapter 21|19 pages

Memory

chapter Chapter 22|20 pages

The Unconscious Mind

part IV|133 pages

Crossing Boundaries

chapter Chapter 23|18 pages

Perception

chapter Chapter 24|15 pages

Mental Imagery

chapter Chapter 25|14 pages

Action and Skill Kateryna Samoilova

chapter Chapter 26|15 pages

Embodiment and Enactivism

chapter Chapter 27|18 pages

Emotion

chapter Chapter 28|15 pages

Social Cognition and Theory of Mind

chapter Chapter 30|19 pages

Neuroethics