The Mind's Provisions

The Mind's Provisions PDF Author: Vincent Descombes
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400832489
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 309

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Book Description
Vincent Descombes brings together an astonishingly large body of philosophical and anthropological thought to present a thoroughgoing critique of contemporary cognitivism and to develop a powerful new philosophy of the mind. Beginning with a critical examination of American cognitivism and French structuralism, Descombes launches a more general critique of all philosophies that view the mind in strictly causal terms and suppose that the brain--and not the person--thinks. Providing a broad historical perspective, Descombes draws surprising links between cognitivism and earlier anthropological projects, such as Lévi-Strauss's work on the symbolic status of myths. He identifies as incoherent both the belief that mental states are detached from the world and the idea that states of mind are brain states; these assumptions beg the question of the relation between mind and brain. In place of cognitivism, Descombes offers an anthropologically based theory of mind that emphasizes the mind's collective nature. Drawing on Wittgenstein, he maintains that mental acts are properly attributed to the person, not the brain, and that states of mind, far from being detached from the world, require a historical and cultural context for their very intelligibility. Available in English for the first time, this is the most outstanding work of one of France's finest contemporary philosophers. It provides a much-needed link between the continental and Anglo-American traditions, and its impact will extend beyond philosophy to anthropology, psychology, critical theory, and French studies.

The Mind's Provisions

The Mind's Provisions PDF Author: Vincent Descombes
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400832489
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 309

Get Book Here

Book Description
Vincent Descombes brings together an astonishingly large body of philosophical and anthropological thought to present a thoroughgoing critique of contemporary cognitivism and to develop a powerful new philosophy of the mind. Beginning with a critical examination of American cognitivism and French structuralism, Descombes launches a more general critique of all philosophies that view the mind in strictly causal terms and suppose that the brain--and not the person--thinks. Providing a broad historical perspective, Descombes draws surprising links between cognitivism and earlier anthropological projects, such as Lévi-Strauss's work on the symbolic status of myths. He identifies as incoherent both the belief that mental states are detached from the world and the idea that states of mind are brain states; these assumptions beg the question of the relation between mind and brain. In place of cognitivism, Descombes offers an anthropologically based theory of mind that emphasizes the mind's collective nature. Drawing on Wittgenstein, he maintains that mental acts are properly attributed to the person, not the brain, and that states of mind, far from being detached from the world, require a historical and cultural context for their very intelligibility. Available in English for the first time, this is the most outstanding work of one of France's finest contemporary philosophers. It provides a much-needed link between the continental and Anglo-American traditions, and its impact will extend beyond philosophy to anthropology, psychology, critical theory, and French studies.

The Mind's Provisions

The Mind's Provisions PDF Author: Vincent Descombes
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691146667
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 309

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Book Description
Vincent Descombes brings together an astonishingly large body of philosophical and anthropological thought to present a thoroughgoing critique of contemporary cognitivism and to develop a powerful new philosophy of the mind. Beginning with a critical examination of American cognitivism and French structuralism, Descombes launches a more general critique of all philosophies that view the mind in strictly causal terms and suppose that the brain--and not the person--thinks. Providing a broad historical perspective, Descombes draws surprising links between cognitivism and earlier anthropological projects, such as Lévi-Strauss's work on the symbolic status of myths. He identifies as incoherent both the belief that mental states are detached from the world and the idea that states of mind are brain states; these assumptions beg the question of the relation between mind and brain. In place of cognitivism, Descombes offers an anthropologically based theory of mind that emphasizes the mind's collective nature. Drawing on Wittgenstein, he maintains that mental acts are properly attributed to the person, not the brain, and that states of mind, far from being detached from the world, require a historical and cultural context for their very intelligibility. Available in English for the first time, this is the most outstanding work of one of France's finest contemporary philosophers. It provides a much-needed link between the continental and Anglo-American traditions, and its impact will extend beyond philosophy to anthropology, psychology, critical theory, and French studies.

Brain Rules (Updated and Expanded)

Brain Rules (Updated and Expanded) PDF Author: John Medina
Publisher: Pear Press
ISBN: 0996032606
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description
Most of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know—like the need for physical activity to get your brain working its best. How do we learn? What exactly do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multi-tasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget—and so important to repeat new knowledge? Is it true that men and women have different brains? In Brain Rules, Dr. John Medina, a molecular biologist, shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children and the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a brain rule—what scientists know for sure about how our brains work—and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives. Medina’s fascinating stories and infectious sense of humor breathe life into brain science. You’ll learn why Michael Jordan was no good at baseball. You’ll peer over a surgeon’s shoulder as he proves that most of us have a Jennifer Aniston neuron. You’ll meet a boy who has an amazing memory for music but can’t tie his own shoes. You will discover how: Every brain is wired differently Exercise improves cognition We are designed to never stop learning and exploring Memories are volatile Sleep is powerfully linked with the ability to learn Vision trumps all of the other senses Stress changes the way we learn In the end, you’ll understand how your brain really works—and how to get the most out of it.

Rules for the Direction of the Mind

Rules for the Direction of the Mind PDF Author: René Descartes
Publisher: Livraria Press
ISBN: 3989889966
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 120

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Book Description
"Descartes was the first to bring to light the idea of a transcendental science, which is to contain a system of knowledge of the conditions of possibility of all knowledge." - Kant A new translation directly from the original manuscripts into English of Descartes' famous work "Rules for the Direction of the Mind". The edition contains a timeline of Descartes' life and works, a glossary of Cartesian terminology, and Afterword by the translator that explains the significance of Descartes' contributions to modern philosophy and science, particularly his method of skepticism and rationalism. Descartes' focus on clear, logical reasoning is a hallmark of his philosophy, and his influence on fields such as mathematics and physics is profound, with his work laying the foundation for later scientific advances. Here, Descartes lays out a method for approaching problems and seeking knowledge. The importance of this work lies in the fact that it established the scientific method as a way of investigating the world, and had a significant influence on the development of modern science. This work is one of the foundational texts of Western Philosophy according to Nietzsche and Schopenhauer. Written around 1628 but unpublished during his lifetime, Descartes' Rules for the Direction of the Mind (sometimes translated Cartesian Discipline) is an important early work that outlines his approach to knowledge and scientific inquiry. In this treatise, Descartes presents 21 rules designed to guide the mind toward truth through a structured method of reasoning. Although incomplete, it laid the groundwork for his later development of the Cartesian method, which emphasized clarity, logical deduction, and the importance of starting with self-evident truths. The work was heavily influenced by mathematics, which Descartes admired for its certainty and precision. His central goal was to find a method that could apply the same level of rigor to all areas of human knowledge, not just mathematics. The Rules also highlight Descartes' break with scholasticism and his desire to reject traditional methods of inquiry based on authority and ancient texts. He advocates the direct use of reason and intuition, urging the thinker to discard unnecessary complexity and focus on simple, clear ideas that can be built upon. This work is significant because it marks the early development of Descartes' methodological skepticism, which he would later refine into his famous "cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am) in his Meditations. The Rules represent a transitional phase in Descartes' thought, bridging the gap between Renaissance humanism and the systematic, analytical philosophy he would pioneer in the modern era.

Irreducible Mind

Irreducible Mind PDF Author: Edward F. Kelly
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9781442202061
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 836

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Book Description
Current mainstream opinion in psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind holds that all aspects of human mind and consciousness are generated by physical processes occurring in brains. Views of this sort have dominated recent scholarly publication. The present volume, however, demonstrates empirically that this reductive materialism is not only incomplete but false. The authors systematically marshal evidence for a variety of psychological phenomena that are extremely difficult, and in some cases clearly impossible, to account for in conventional physicalist terms. Topics addressed include phenomena of extreme psychophysical influence, memory, psychological automatisms and secondary personality, near-death experiences and allied phenomena, genius-level creativity, and 'mystical' states of consciousness both spontaneous and drug-induced. The authors further show that these rogue phenomena are more readily accommodated by an alternative 'transmission' or 'filter' theory of mind/brain relations advanced over a century ago by a largely forgotten genius, F. W. H. Myers, and developed further by his friend and colleague William James. This theory, moreover, ratifies the commonsense conception of human beings as causally effective conscious agents, and is fully compatible with leading-edge physics and neuroscience. The book should command the attention of all open-minded persons concerned with the still-unsolved mysteries of the mind.

The Extended Mind

The Extended Mind PDF Author: Richard Menary
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262014033
Category : Cognition
Languages : en
Pages : 391

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Book Description
Leading scholars respond to the famous proposition by Andy Clark and David Chalmers that cognition and mind are not located exclusively in the head.

Genocide of the Mind

Genocide of the Mind PDF Author: MariJo Moore
Publisher: Bold Type Books
ISBN: 0786750316
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 369

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Book Description
After five centuries of Eurocentrism, many people have little idea that Native American tribes still exist, or which traditions belong to what tribes. However over the past decade there has been a rising movement to accurately describe Native cultures and histories. In particular, people have begun to explore the experience of urban Indians -- individuals who live in two worlds struggling to preserve traditional Native values within the context of an ever-changing modern society. In Genocide of the Mind, the experience and determination of these people is recorded in a revealing and compelling collection of essays that brings the Native American experience into the twenty-first century. Contributors include: Paula Gunn Allen, Simon Ortiz, Sherman Alexie, Leslie Marmon Silko, and Maurice Kenny, as well as emerging writers from different Indian nations.

Arts with the Brain in Mind

Arts with the Brain in Mind PDF Author: Eric Jensen
Publisher: ASCD
ISBN: 1416600744
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 151

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Book Description
How do the arts stack up as a major discipline? What is their effect on the brain, learning, and human development? How might schools best implement and assess an arts program? Eric Jensen answers these questions--and more--in this book. To push for higher standards of learning, many policymakers are eliminating arts programs. To Jensen, that's a mistake. This book presents the definitive case, based on what we know about the brain and learning, for making arts a core part of the basic curriculum and thoughtfully integrating them into every subject. Separate chapters address musical, visual, and kinesthetic arts in ways that reveal their influence on learning. What are the effects of a fully implemented arts program? The evidence points to the following: * Fewer dropouts * Higher attendance * Better team players * An increased love of learning * Greater student dignity * Enhanced creativity * A more prepared citizen for the workplace of tomorrow * Greater cultural awareness as a bonus To Jensen, it's not a matter of choosing, say, the musical arts over the kinesthetic. Rather, ask what kind of art makes sense for what purposes. How much time per day? At what ages? What kind of music? What kind of movement? Should the arts be required? How do we assess arts programs? In answering these real-world questions, Jensen provides dozens of practical, detailed suggestions for incorporating the arts into every classroom. Note: This product listing is for the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the book.

The Influential Mind

The Influential Mind PDF Author: Tali Sharot
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
ISBN: 162779266X
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 299

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Book Description
A cutting-edge, research-based inquiry into how we influence those around us and how understanding the brain can help us change minds for the better. In The Influential Mind, neuroscientist Tali Sharot takes us on a thrilling exploration of the nature of influence. We all have a duty to affect others—from the classroom to the boardroom to social media. But how skilled are we at this role, and can we become better? It turns out that many of our instincts—from relying on facts and figures to shape opinions, to insisting others are wrong or attempting to exert control—are ineffective, because they are incompatible with how people’s minds operate. Sharot shows us how to avoid these pitfalls, and how an attempt to change beliefs and actions is successful when it is well-matched with the core elements that govern the human brain. Sharot reveals the critical role of emotion in influence, the weakness of data and the power of curiosity. Relying on the latest research in neuroscience, behavioral economics and psychology, the book provides fascinating insight into the complex power of influence, good and bad. Praise for The Influential Mind Winner of the 2018 British Psychological Society Book Award Selected as a Best Book of 2017 by Forbes, The Times (UK), The Huffington Post, Bloomberg, Greater Good Magazine, Inc., Stanford Business School,and more “Sharot . . . covers the topic more fully and more authoritatively in a book whose title gives appropriately equal billing to thought, behavior and neurons. . . . Her book is a witty survey of techniques to influence and guide human behavior.” —The New York Times Book Review “This timely, intriguing book explains why it’s so difficult to shift the attitudes and actions of others—and what we can do about it.” —Adam Grant, New York Times–bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take

Design for the Mind

Design for the Mind PDF Author: Victor Yocco
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1638356823
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 329

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Book Description
Summary Design for the Mind: Seven Psychological Principles of Persuasive Design teaches web designers and developers how to create sites and applications that appeal to our innate natural responses as humans. Author Victor Yocco, a researcher on psychology and communication, introduces the most immediately relevant and applicable psychological concepts, breaks down each theory into easily-digested principles, then shows how they can be used to inform better design. Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications. About the Technology Designers and design team members need to think about more than just aesthetics. How do you handle short attention spans. How does your design encourage users to engage, browse, or buy? Fortunately, there are psychological principles that you can use in your design to anticipate and benefit from how humans think, behave, and react. About the Book Design for the Mind: Seven Psychological Principles of Persuasive Design teaches you to recognize how websites and applications can benefit from an awareness of our innate, natural responses as humans, and to apply the same principles to your own designs. This approachable book introduces the psychological principles, deconstructs each into easily digestible concepts, and then shows how you can apply them. The idea is to deepen your understanding of why people react in the ways they do. After reading the book, you'll be ready to make your work more psychologically friendly, engaging, and persuasive. What's Inside Making design persuasive Encouraging visitors to take action Creating enduring messages Meeting the needs of both engaged and disengaged visitors Becoming a strategic influencer Applying theory, with case studies and real-world examples About the Reader This book is for web and UX designers and developers as well as anyone involved in customer-facing digital products. About the Author Victor Yocco, PhD, is a research director at a Philadelphia-based digital design firm. He received his PhD from The Ohio State University, where his research focused on psychology and communication in informal learning settings. Victor regularly writes and speaks on topics related to the application of psychology to design and addressing the culture of alcohol use in design and technology. He can be found at www.victoryocco.com or @victoryocco on Twitter. Table of Contents PART 1 INTRODUCING THE APPLICATION OF PSYCHOLOGY TO DESIGN Meeting users' needs: including psychology in design PART 2 WHY DO FOLKS ACT LIKE THAT? PRINCIPLES OF BEHAVIOR Designing for regular use: addressing planned behavior Risky decisions and mental shortcuts Motivation, ability, and trigger-boom! PART 3 PRINCIPLES OF INFLUENCE AND PERSUASION: NOT AS EVIL AS YOU'D THINK Influence: getting people to like and use your design Using family, friends, and social networks to influence users It's not what you say; it's how you say it! Persuasion: the deadliest art PART 4 USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER Case study: KidTech Design Co.'s Good Choice app The next step: getting up and running