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Bertrand Russell wrote The Analysis of Mind during one of the most turbulent periods of his life. He began it in 1918 whilst in in prison in London for his opposition to the First World War, and completed it in Peking (now Beijing) in 1921, where he had been giving lectures at the National University.
It is a vital book for understanding Russell's philosophy. He argues for a fresh conception of the mind, provided by his eclectic fusion of William James's 'neutral monism'; the emerging theory of behaviourism, to which Russell was strongly drawn; and his own new causal theory of meaning. As such, The Analysis of Mind built a foundation for the distinctive brand of much of his later philosophical writing. In his customary sharp prose, Russell explores fundamental questions about the mind, including desire and feeling; the vexed relationship between psychological and physical laws; sensations and mental images; memory; belief; and emotions and the will.
This Routledge Classics edition includes an Introduction by Thomas Baldwin.
List of contents
Introduction to the Routledge Classics Edition Thomas Baldwin, Preface, 1. Recent Criticisms of "Consciousness", 2. Instinct and Habit, 3. Desire and Feeling, 4. Influence of Past History on Present Occurrences in Living Organisms, 5. Psychological and Physical Causal Laws, 6. Introspection, 7. The Definition of Perception, 8. Sensations and Images, 9. Memory, 10. Words and Meaning, 11. General Ideas and Thought, 12. Belief, 13. Truth and Falsehood, 14. Emotions and Will, 15. Characteristics of Mental Phenomena, Index
About the author
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970) is regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of the twentieth century and a celebrated writer and commentator on social and political affairs.
Summary
A vital book for understanding Russell's philosophy, which explores fundamental questions about the mind, including desire and feeling; psychological and physical laws; sensations and mental images; memory; belief; and emotions and the will. Includes an Introduction by Thomas Baldwin.
