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How Matter Becomes Conscious

A Naturalistic Theory of the Mind

  • Book
  • © 2019

Overview

Authors:
  1. Jan Faye

    1. Department of Media, Cognition and Communication, University of Copenhagen, Philosophy, Copenhagen, Denmark

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  • Proposes a unique and original perspective on the nature of the mind

  • Draws on substantial cross-disciplinary literature in evolutionary biology and cognitive science

  • Offers a promising alternative to the major theories of the mind-body problem

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
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  2. Flipping the Debate

    • Jan Faye
    Pages 1-28

  3. Our Animal Mind

    • Jan Faye
    Pages 29-68

  4. Subjectivity in a Biological Perspective

    • Jan Faye
    Pages 69-105

  5. A Difference That Makes No Difference

    • Jan Faye
    Pages 107-143

  6. Why Identity Is Not Enough

    • Jan Faye
    Pages 145-181

  7. Functionalism, Mechanisms, and Levels of Reality

    • Jan Faye
    Pages 183-223

  8. The Environment Is What Matters

    • Jan Faye
    Pages 225-258

  9. Understanding Consciousness

    • Jan Faye
    Pages 259-304

  10. Back Matter

    Pages 305-329
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Keywords

About this book

This innovative book proposes a unique and original perspective on the nature of the mind and how phenomenal consciousness may arise in a physical world. From simple sentient organisms to complex self-reflective systems, Faye argues for a naturalistic-evolutionary approach to philosophy of mind and consciousness.  Drawing on substantial literature in evolutionary biology and cognitive science, this book offers a promising alternative to the major theories of the mind-body problem: the quality of our experiences should not, as some philosophers have claimed, be associated with subjectivity that is not open for scientific explanation, nor should it be associated with intrinsic properties of the brain. Instead, Faye argues that mental properties are extrinsic properties of the brain caused by the organism’s interaction with its environment. Taking on the explanatory gap, and rejecting the ontological pluralism of present naturalist theories of the mind, Faye thus proposes a unified view of reality in which it is possible to explain qualitative mental presentations as part of the physical world. 




Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Media, Cognition and Communication, University of Copenhagen, Philosophy, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Jan Faye

About the author

Dr. Jan Faye, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, is a philosopher who has written extensively on topics in philosophy of science, metaphysics, and epistemology. His previous books include After Postmodernism (2012), The Nature of Scientific Thinking (2014), and Experience and Beyond (2016) all published by Palgrave Macmillan.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: How Matter Becomes Conscious

  • Book Subtitle: A Naturalistic Theory of the Mind

  • Authors: Jan Faye

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16138-5

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-16137-8Published: 26 April 2019

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-16138-5Published: 11 April 2019

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XVIII, 329

  • Number of Illustrations: 1 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Mind

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