Mind in Life : Biology, Phenomenology, and the Sciences of Mind

How is life related to the mind? The question has long confounded philosophers and scientists, and it is this so-called explanatory gap between biological life and consciousness that Evan Thompson explores in Mind in Life . Thompson draws upon sources as diverse as molecular biology, evolutionary theory, artificial life, complex systems theory, neuroscience, psychology, Continental Phenomenology, and analytic philosophy to argue that mind and life are more continuous than has previously been accepted, and that current explanations do not adequately address the myriad facets of the biology and phenomenology of mind. Where there is life, Thompson argues, there is mind: life and mind share common principles of self-organization, and the self-organizing features of mind are an enriched version of the self-organizing features of life. Rather than trying to close the explanatory gap, Thompson marshals philosophical and scientific analyses to bring unprecedented insight to the nature of life and consciousness. This synthesis of phenomenology and biology helps make Mind in Life a vital and long-awaited addition to his landmark volume The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience (coauthored with Eleanor Rosch and Francisco Varela). Endlessly interesting and accessible, Mind in Life is a groundbreaking addition to the fields of the theory of the mind, life science, and phenomenology.

how Is Life Related To The Mind? The Question Has Long Confounded Philosophers And Scientists, And It Is This So-called Explanatory Gap Between Biological Life And Consciousness That Evan Thompson Explores In mind In Life.

thompson Draws Upon Sources As Diverse As Molecular Biology, Evolutionary Theory, Artificial Life, Complex Systems Theory, Neuroscience, Psychology, Continental Phenomenology, And Analytic Philosophy To Argue That Mind And Life Are More Continuous Than Has Previously Been Accepted, And That Current Explanations Do Not Adequately Address The Myriad Facets Of The Biology And Phenomenology Of Mind. Where There Is Life, Thompson Argues, There Is Mind: Life And Mind Share Common Principles Of Self-organization, And The Self-organizing Features Of Mind Are An Enriched Version Of The Self-organizing Features Of Life. Rather Than Trying To Close The Explanatory Gap, Thompson Marshals Philosophical And Scientific Analyses To Bring Unprecedented Insight To The Nature Of Life And Consciousness. This Synthesis Of Phenomenology And Biology Helps Make mind In Life A Vital And Long-awaited Addition To His Landmark Volume the Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science And Human Experience (coauthored With Eleanor Rosch And Francisco Varela).

endlessly Interesting And Accessible, mind In Life Is A Groundbreaking Addition To The Fields Of The Theory Of The Mind, Life Science, And Phenomenology.

keith Ansell-pearson - Phenomenology And The Cognitive Sciences

the Book Is A Tremendous Success And Amounts To A Superior Contribution To Recent And Current Debates In The Philosophy Of Mind. Thompson Displays A Deeply Impressive Grasp Of The Relevant Literature Across A Range Of Disciplines, Including Biology, Phenomenology, Psychology And Neuroscience. Not Only Has He Read Widely, He Has An Admirable Intellectual Independence, And Is Confident Of The Arguments He Wants To Demonstrate And The Direction He Wants The Sciences Of The Mind To Take...one Of The Richest Contributions To The Study Of Mind In Life In Recent Years. It Deserves To Become A Major Work Of Reference And Inspiration For Research In The Immediate Future And, Indeed, For Many Years To Come. It Provides A Genuine And Far-reaching Clarification Of Core Issues In The Philosophy And Science Of The Mind, And Is To Be Greatly Welcomed.

"Evan Thompson draws upon sources as diverse as molecular biology, evolutionary theory, artificial life, complex systems theory, neuroscience, psychology, Continental Phenomenology, and analytic philosophy to argue that mind and life are more continuous than has previously been accepted, and that current explanations do not adequately address the myriad facets of the biology and phenomenology of mind. Where there is life, Thompson argues, there is mind: life and mind share common principles of self-organization, and the self-organizing features of mind are an enriched version of the self-organizing features of life. Rather than trying to close the explanatory gap, Thompson marshals philosophical and scientific analyses to bring unprecedented insight to the nature of life and consciousness. This synthesis of phenomenology and biology helps make Mind in Life a vital addition to his volume The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience."--Jacket