The Representational Theory of Mind

This is not a conventional introduction to the philosophy of mind, nor is it a contribution to the physicalist/dualist debate. Instead it demonstrates that we can construct physicalist theories of important aspects of our mental life. Its aim is to explain and defend a physicalist theory of intelligence in two parts: the first six chapters consist of an exposition, elaboration and defence of one of the main contemporary theories of human sentience (the functionalist theory of mind), and the second part considers rivals and objections to this theory. The author aims to introduce people to this area of philosophy by exemplifying it, to show that philosophical and empirical investigations can be synthesized to the benefit of both. It is both introduction and argument, explanation and manifesto, and attempts to bridge the widening gap between student primer and contemporary research. Technical vocabulary is explained and defined, while the leading edge of current debates is confronted and assessed. This book has been written for people working in philosophy, psychology and the cognitive sciences.
It assumes a critical spirit and intellectual independence and stresses throughout the need to explain and argue.