Evolutionary Psychology and the Propositional-attitudes - Two Mechanist Manifestos

The two essays provide a critical examination of theory and research in the field of evolutionary psychology. The view advanced here is that philosophical materialism and minimalist assumptions about adaptation serve Darwinian psychology better than the more popular alternative view that relies on cognitive dualism and propositional-attitude psychology to formulate evolutionary psychology theory. A commitment to cognitive dualism is destined to undermine the physical basis of behavior upon which evolutionary theory depends. Many evolutionary psychologists do not see this but are seduced by the easy way in which hypotheses can be formulated using the 'propositional-attitude' model. The challenge is to develop a materialistic and mechanistic approach to understanding human cognition and behavior, including linguistic and social behavior.

List of contents

Preface.-
Evolutionary Psychology and the Propositional-attitudes: Two Mechanist Manifestos.- Why the Cognitive Turn is a Wrong Turn .- The Imperative Nature of Motivational EndowmentsPostscript: The Virtues of 'Weak' Modularity.- Bibliography.- Index.

Summary

The two essays provide a critical examination of theory and research in the field of evolutionary psychology. The view advanced here is that philosophical materialism and minimalist assumptions about adaptation serve Darwinian psychology better than the more popular alternative view that relies on cognitive dualism and propositional-attitude psychology to formulate evolutionary psychology theory. A commitment to cognitive dualism is destined to undermine the physical basis of behavior upon which evolutionary theory depends. Many evolutionary psychologists do not see this but are seduced by the easy way in which hypotheses can be formulated using the ‘propositional-attitude’ model. The challenge is to develop a materialistic and mechanistic approach to understanding human cognition and behavior, including linguistic and social behavior.

Product details

• Authors: Alex Walter
• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 04.11.2011
• EAN: 9789400729681
• ISBN: 978-94-0-072968-1
• No. of pages: 85
• Dimensions: 157 mm x 5 mm x 236 mm
• Weight: 166 g
• Illustrations: XII, 85 p. 1 illus.
• Series: SpringerBriefs in Philosophy; SpringerBriefs in Philosophy
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > Miscellaneous; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Miscellaneous; C, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy, Zoology & animal sciences, Physiological & neuro-psychology, biopsychology, Cognition & cognitive psychology, Neurosciences, Cognition and cognitive psychology, cognitive psychology, Behavioral Sciences, Religion and Philosophy, Behaviourism, Behavioural theory, Behavioral Genetics, Biological Psychology, Philosophy of Biology, Biology—Philosophy