ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by discussing what the authors mean by 'mind', what kinds of phenomena they are talking about. It identifies thought and consciousness as central. The chapter examines six philosophical theories that answer the questions 'what is the mind' and 'how does the mind relate to the body'. These six theories fall into three categories. First, dualist theories argue that there is some sense in which what is mental is quite different and independent of what is physical. Second, physicalist theories claim that what is mental can be understood in terms of what is physical. 'The mind' is not a 'thing', but can be explained in terms of either neurological processes or behaviour. Third, functionalist theories claim that thought and consciousness are not a matter of what exists, but of how things work or 'function'. The chapter also examines a wide variety of topics, such as the nature of consciousness and how the mind can cause bodily movements.
