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Opacity of Mind: An Integrative Theory of Self-Knowledge
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Opacity of Mind: An Integrative Theory of Self-Knowledge Hardback - 2011

by Peter Carruthers

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It is widely believed that people have privileged and authoritative access to their own thoughts, and many theories have been proposed to explain this supposed fact. The Opacity of Mind challenges the consensus view and subjects the theories in question to critical scrutiny, while showing that they are not protected against the findings of cognitive science by belonging to a separate "explanatory space." The book argues that our access to our own thoughts is almost always interpretive, grounded in perceptual awareness of our own circumstances and behavior, together with our own sensory imagery (including inner speech). In fact our access to our own thoughts is no different in principle from our access to the thoughts of other people, utilizing the conceptual and inferential resources of the same "mindreading" faculty, and relying on many of the same sources of evidence. Peter Carruthers proposes and defends the Interpretive Sensory-Access (ISA) theory of self-knowledge. This is supported through comprehensive examination of many different types of evidence from across cognitive science, integrating a diverse set of findings into a single well-articulated theory. One outcome is that there are hardly any kinds of conscious thought. Another is that there is no such thing as conscious agency.

Written with Carruthers' usual clarity and directness, this book will be essential reading for philosophers interested in self-knowledge, consciousness, and related areas of philosophy. It will also be of vital interest to cognitive scientists, since it casts the existing data in a new theoretical light. Moreover, the ISA theory makes many new predictions while also suggesting constraints and controls that should be placed on future experimental investigations of self-knowledge.

Details

  • Title Opacity of Mind: An Integrative Theory of Self-Knowledge
  • Author Peter Carruthers
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 456
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Oxford University Press, Oxford
  • Publication date 2011-11-15
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Dust Cover, Illustrated, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780199596195 / 0199596190
  • Weight 1.85 lbs (0.84 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.3 in (23.37 x 16.51 x 3.30 cm)
  • Category Philosophy
  • Library of Congress subjects Self (Philosophy), Cognitive psychology
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2011288382
  • Dewey Decimal Code 126

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Citations

  • Choice, 07/01/2012, Page 0

About the author

Peter Carruthers is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Maryland. He has published widely across different areas of philosophy of mind and cognitive science. His books include The Architecture of the Mind: Massive Modularity and the Flexibility of Thought (Oxford University Press, 2006), Phenomenal Consciousness: A Naturalistic Theory (Cambridge University Press, 2000), and seven co-edited collections of original interdisciplinary essays.

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The Opacity of Mind: An Integrative Theory of Self-Knowledge

by Carruthers, Peter

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UK: Oxford University Press, 2011. 1st. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. Hardcover in a bright dust jacket, 437 pages. It is widely believed that people have privileged and authoritative access to their own thoughts, and many theories have been proposed to explain this supposed fact. The Opacity of Mind challenges the consensus view and subjects the theories in question to critical scrutiny, while showing that they are not protected against the findings of cognitive science by belonging to a separate "explanatory space." The book argues that our access to our own thoughts is almost always interpretive, grounded in perceptual awareness of our own circumstances and behavior, together with our own sensory imagery (including inner speech). In fact our access to our own thoughts is no different in principle from our access to the thoughts of other people, utilizing the conceptual and inferential resources of the same "mindreading" faculty, and relying on many of the same sources of evidence. Peter… Read more
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NY:: Oxford University Press,. Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. 2011. Hardcover. 0199596190 . From the personal library of the late philosopher Lynne Rudder Baker with a memorial stamp on the front free endpaper. First printing. Fine in an about fine dust jacket. .
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The Opacity of Mind: An Integrative Theory of Self-Knowledge

by Peter Carruthers

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Hardback. New. Do we have introspective access to our own thoughts? Peter Carruthers challenges the consensus that we do: he argues that access to our own thoughts is always interpretive, grounded in perceptual awareness and sensory imagery. He proposes a bold new theory of self-knowledge, with radical implications for understanding of consciousness and agency.
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The Opacity of Mind: An Integrative Theory of Self-Knowledge

The Opacity of Mind: An Integrative Theory of Self-Knowledge

by Peter Carruthers

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Hardback. New. Do we have introspective access to our own thoughts? Peter Carruthers challenges the consensus that we do: he argues that access to our own thoughts is always interpretive, grounded in perceptual awareness and sensory imagery. He proposes a bold new theory of self-knowledge, with radical implications for understanding of consciousness and agency.
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The Opacity of Mind: An Integrative Theory of Self-Knowledge
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The Opacity of Mind: An Integrative Theory of Self-Knowledge

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Opacity Of Mind - an Integrative Theory Of Self-Knowledge
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Opacity Of Mind - an Integrative Theory Of Self-Knowledge
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Opacity Of Mind - an Integrative Theory Of Self-Knowledge

by Carruthers, Peter,

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9780199596195 / 0199596190
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