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Philosophy of Neuroscience

Philosophy of Neuroscience

Philosophy of Neuroscience

Philosophy of Neuroscience

Overview

This Element provides a comprehensive introduction to philosophy of neuroscience. It covers such topics as how neuroscientists procure knowledge, including not just research techniques but the use of various model organisms. It presents examples of knowledge acquired in neuroscience that are then employed to discuss more philosophical topics such as the nature of explanations developed in neuroscience, the different conception of levels employed in discussions of neuroscience, and the invocation of representations in neuroscience explanations. The text emphasizes the importance of brain processes beyond those in the neocortex and then explores what makes processing in neocortex different. It consider the view that the nervous system consists of control mechanisms and considers arguments for hierarchical vs. heterarchical organization of control mechanisms. It concludes by considering implications of findings in neuroscience for how humans conceive of themselves and practices such as embracing norms.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781108931502
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication date: 03/03/2022
Series: Elements in Philosophy of Mind
Pages: 75
Product dimensions: 5.94(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.24(d)

About the Author

William Bechtel is Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Director of the Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology Program at Washington University in St. Louis. He is editor of the international journal Philosophical Psychology and his publications include A Companion to Cognitive Science (co-edited, Blackwell, 1998), Connectionism and the Mind (co-authored, second edition, Blackwell, 2002) and Discovering Complexity (1993).

Pete Mandik is Assistant Professor and Associate Director fo the Cognitive Science Laboratory at William Patterson University of New Jersey

Jennifer Mundale is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Central Florida University.

Robert S. Stufflebeam is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of New Orleans.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: What is Philosophy of Neuroscience?; 2. What are neurons and neural processes?; 3. How do neuroscientists learn about the nervous system?; 4. From whom do neuroscientists learn about the nervous system?; 5. What has neuroscience learned?; 6. How do neuroscientists explain activities of the nervous system?; 7. What are levels in neuroscience and are they reducible?; 8. Do neural processes represent anything?; 9. What is distinctive about neocortex?; 10. How is the whole nervous system organized?; 11. What does neuroscience teach us about who we are?
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