Description

Advances in the empirical sciences are today giving us greater insights into the relationship between body and mind than ever before. Despite this, the mind-body problem is resisting rapid solution through empirical research. One soon encounters deep and intractable philosophical questions: To what extent is the mind independent of the body? Are the brain and the mind identical? Can the mind have effects in the world? Philosophy is able to make a genuine contribution to the answering of questions such as these. This fully revised new edition of the volume The Mind-Body Problem provides an overview of current debates in the philosophy of mind. A "map" of the most important positions and arguments is systematically outlined, making orientation much easier. The final chapter questions the Cartesian premises of the current debate and attempts to indicate an alternative approach.