|
Monday, 30 October 2006 |
 Where is the mind?
Katherine Power's philosophical short story explores the advantages of having an extended mind. It is preceded by a short introduction to its subject matter, the extended mind theory. A common view amongst philosophers of mind is that mental states are 'physically realised'. This means that, if I believe that Magritte was a painter, there is something physical in the world which makes up that belief. Let's say the belief is realised by a neural pattern of activation in my brain. If we took that pattern away, and did not replace it with another physical state serving the same role, I would no longer believe that Magritte was a painter. If you agree so far, you might ask what kind of physical states realise mental ones. Do they have to be brain states? Not according to Andy Clark and David Chalmers. In their 1998 paper "The Extended Mind" they argue that mental phenomena can be realised outside the skull. To convince us, they compare an ordinary case of belief with a case where an external object, a notebook, plays a crucial role. Clark and Chalmers argue that the differences between the two cases are superficial and, therefore, that they are both cases of belief. |
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 January 2007 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
An Introduction to Ethical Hedonism |
|
Thursday, 21 September 2006 |
 A life of pleasure? Katherine Power introduces the concept of 'hedonism' as it is understood in philosophy. The word 'hedonism' has at least three senses: the pursuit of pleasure, especially of sensual pleasure; the psychological theory that what motivates behaviour is the desire for pleasure and the avoidance of pain; and the philosophical theory that pleasure is the ultimate value. This article will touch on all three, but its focus is the latter sense of 'hedonism', also known as 'ethical hedonism'.
It's natural to expect ethical hedonists to be fond of the 'sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll lifestyle' but not all hedonists are that keen on sensual pleasure. The Greek ethical hedonist Epicurus (341-270 BC) advocated a quiet life, in which the unnecessary pleasures are given up in order to tame our desires and avoid pain. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 December 2006 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Psychopharmacology and the Human Condition |
|
Thursday, 21 September 2006 |
|
Bruce Charlton argues that psychopharmacology has a fundamental role in enhancing the human condition. Contemporary human life is very different from the ecological and social environment in which humans evolved, and which shaped human psychological architecture [1]. The human mind is adapted to maximize reproductive success under very different conditions from that in which it finds itself [2]. This has profound implications for a consideration of the attainment of human happiness and fulfillment; so much so that - contrary to the views of some evolutionists [3] - I believe psychopharmacology has an fundamental role in enhancing the human condition.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 March 2007 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next > End >>
|
| Results 13 - 16 of 17 |
