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Philosophy and the Neurosciences is the first systematic integration of philosophy of mind and philosophy of science with neuroscience research. As philosophers have come to focus more and more on the relationship between mind and brain, they have had to take greater account of theory and research in the neurosciences. Likewise, as neuroscientists have learned more about cognitive structures and functions, their investigations have expanded and merged with traditional questions from the philosophy of mind.
By introducing key themes in philosophy of mind, philosophy of science and the fundamental concepts of neuroscience, this text provides philosophers with the necessary background to engage the neurosciences and offers neuroscientists an introduction to the relevant tools of philosophical analysis. Study questions, figures, and references to further reading are provided in each chapter to enhance the reader's understanding of how philosophy and the neurosciences are related in their exploration of the human mind.
List of contents
1. Introduction: What is Philosophy of Neuroscience?; 2. What are neurons and neural processes?; 3. How do neuroscientists learn about the nervous system?; 4. From whom do neuroscientists learn about the nervous system?; 5. What has neuroscience learned?; 6. How do neuroscientists explain activities of the nervous system?; 7. What are levels in neuroscience and are they reducible?; 8. Do neural processes represent anything?; 9. What is distinctive about neocortex?; 10. How is the whole nervous system organized?; 11. What does neuroscience teach us about who we are?
About the author
William Bechtel is Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Director of the Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology Program at Washington University in St. Louis. He is editor of the international journal
Philosophical Psychology and his publications include
A Companion to Cognitive Science (co-edited, Blackwell, 1998),
Connectionism and the Mind (co-authored, second edition, Blackwell, 2002) and
Discovering Complexity (1993).
Pete Mandik is Assistant Professor and Associate Director fo the Cognitive Science Laboratory at William Patterson University of New Jersey
Jennifer Mundale is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Central Florida University.
Robert S. Stufflebeam is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of New Orleans.
Summary
This Element provides a comprehensive introduction to philosophy of neuroscience. It covers such topics as how neuroscientists procure knowledge, including not just research techniques but the use of various model organisms.
Foreword
The Element explicates key philosophical concepts related to neuroscience and applies them to accessible examples of neuroscience findings.
