The Problem Of The Soul : Two Visions Of Mind And How To Reconcile Them

Science has always created problems for traditional ways of seeing things, but now the very attributes that make us human--free will, the permanence of personal identity, the existence of the soul--are threatened by the science of the mind. If the mind is the brain, and therefore a physical object subject to deterministic laws, how can we have free will? If most of our thoughts and impulses are unconscious, how can we be morally responsible for what we do? If brains and bodies undergo relentless change, how can our identities be constant? The Problem of the Soul shows the way out of these paradoxes. Framing the conflict in terms of two dominant visions of the mind--the "manifest image" of humanistic philosophy and theology, and the scientific image--Owen Flanagan demonstrates that there is common ground, and that we need not give up our ideas of moral responsibility and personal freedom in order to have an empirically sound view of the human mind. This is a profoundly relevant work of philosophy for the common reader. "Science has always created problems for traditional ways of seeing things, but now the problem has become acute. Traditional humanistic ideas about the basic nature of humanity are under attack as never before. The very attributes that make us human - free will, the permanence of personal identity, the existence of the soul - are undermined and threatened by the current revolution in the science of the mind. If the mind is the brain, and therefore a physical object subject to deterministic laws, how can we have free will? If most of our thoughts and impulses are unconscious, how can we be morally responsible for what we do? If brains and bodies are constantly undergoing change, how can our identities be constant?" "The Problem of the Soul shows the way out of these seemingly intractable paradoxes. Framing the conflict in terms of two dominant visions of the mind - the "manifest image" of humanistic philosophy and theology, and the scientific image - renowned philosopher Owen Flanagan demonstrates that there is, in fact, common ground, and that we need not give up our ideas of moral responsibility and personal freedom in order to have an empirically sound view of the human mind. With implications ranging from the stem-cell debate and the teaching of evolution to everyday life, this is a profoundly relevant work of philosophy for the common reader."--Jacket Science has always created problems for traditional ways of seeing things, but now the very attributes that make us human -- free will, the permanence of personal identity, the existence of the soul -- are threatened by the science of the mind. If the mind is the brain, and therefore a physical object subject to deterministic laws, how can we have free will? If most of our thoughts and impulses are unconscious, how can we be morally responsible for what we do? If brains and bodies undergo relentless change, how can our identities be constant? The Problem of the Soul shows the way out of these paradoxes. Framing the conflict in terms of two dominant visions of the mind -- the'manifest image'of humanistic philosophy and theology, and the scientific image -- Owen Flanagan demonstrates that there is common ground, and that we need not give up our ideas of moral responsibility and personal freedom in order to have an empirically sound view of the human mind. This is a profoundly relevant work of philosophy for the common reader. Front Cover ......Page 1 Contents ......Page 8 Preface ......Page 10 1.The Human Being ......Page 20 2.The Human Image ......Page 46 3.Mind ......Page 76 4.Free Will ......Page 118 5.Permanent Persons......Page 180 6.Natural Selves ......Page 232 7.Ethics as Human Ecology ......Page 284 Bibliographic Essay......Page 340 Selected Bibliography ......Page 354 Acknowledgements ......Page 368 Index ......Page 370 Back Cover ......Page 384 Front Cover 1 Contents 8 Preface 10 1.The Human Being 20 2.The Human Image 46 3.Mind 76 4.Free Will 118 5.Permanent Persons 180 6.Natural Selves 232 7.Ethics as Human Ecology 284 Bibliographic Essay 340 Selected Bibliography 354 Acknowledgements 368 Index 370 Back Cover 384 2003 In The Problem of the Soul, renowned philosopher Owen Flanagan shows the way out of these paradoxes, demonstrating that we need not give up our ideas of moral responsibility and personal freedom in order to have an empirically sound view of the human mind PERENNIAL PHILOSOPHY, the wisdom of the ages, provides an unfolding humanistic story of our nature.