Mind in time

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Peter J. Ucko

Theory in Archaeology: a world perspective examines important questions about the diversity in theory and practice in archaeology which are facing the discipline in the 1990s. For example, what is the relationship between theory and practice? How does 'World' archaeological theory differ from 'European' archaeological theory? Is it possible to be a good archaeological practitioner without theory? This unique book includes contributions from many different parts of the world - Africa, Indonesia, India, Australia, Canada, South America, Japan, and many other countries - to give the first truly global perspective on archaeological theory. It examines the nature of material culture studies and looks at the problems of ethnicity, regionalism and nationality. It also considers one of the fundamental questions in archaeology: whether empirical facts can be found and recorded through 'objective' research, or whether the past is in fact only the relativistic creation of a particular age or society. The diverse range of authors brings together very different perceptions of the past and also sheds new light on the dynamics of nationalism, providing a framework for considering such immediate questions as the disintegration of the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. The book's scope and interest should guarantee an international readership amongst students and academics alike.

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John W. Chapman

"Began with presentations and commentaries at the meeting of The American Society for Political and Legal Philosophy held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Association of American Law Schools in New Orleans, 5-8 January 1989"--Preface.

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Jaegwon Kim

The philosophy of mind has always been a staple of the philosophy curriculum. But it has never held a more important place than it does today, with both traditional problems and new topics often sparked by the developments in the psychological, cognitive, and computer sciences. Jaegwon Kim's Philosophy of Mind is the classic, comprehensive survey of the subject. Now in its second edition, Kim explores, maps, and interprets this complex and exciting terrain. Designed as an introduction to the field for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students, Philosophy of Mind focuses on the mind/body problem and related issues, some touching on the status of psychology and cognitive science. The second edition features a new chapter on Cartesian substance dualism-a perspective that has been little discussed in the mainstream philosophy of mind and almost entirely ignored in most introductory books in philosophy of mind. In addition, all the chapters have been revised and updated to reflect the trends and developments of the last decade. Throughout the text, Kim allows readers to come to their own terms with the central problems of the mind. At the same time, the author's own emerging views are on display and serve to move the discussion forward. Comprehensive, clear, and fair, Philosophy of Mind is a model of philosophical exposition. It is a major contribution to the study and teaching of the philosophy of mind.

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Michael Thau

"In this book, Michael Thau shows that philosophers and cognitive scientists have been fundamentally mistaken about the nature of consciousness and cognition - until now." "Contemporary research in philosophy and cognitive science starts from a very natural conception of the mind. Mental phenomena are conceived of as particulars that put subjects in mediated relations to their world. The materialist takes these particulars to reside in the brain, while the dualist takes them to reside in some kind of non-physical stuff. Given this natural conception, the study of the mind has become the study of these entities. But these entities do not exist and, hence, the study of the mind has become the study of nothing." "Consciousness and Cognition will appeal to anyone interested in the nature of the mind. The book is organized around three famous philosophical puzzles: Spectrum Inversion, Frege's Puzzle, and Black-and-White-Mary. The discussion of Frege's Puzzle contains important insights about linguistic communication, so anyone interested in the fundamental questions in philosophy of language will also find the book illuminating."--Jacket.