If
Supposition, Pragmatics, and Dual Processes
Jonathan Evans(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 1. November 2004
Book
Hardback
200 pages
978-0-19-852512-7 (ISBN)
Description
'IF' is one of the most important and interesting words in the English language. It is used to express hypothetical thought - an essential part of human reasoning and decision making. This type of thought occurs wherever there is uncertainty, and uncertainty is everywhere in our lives. The use of conditionals such as 'if' also distinguishes human intelligence from that of all other animals, permitting a higher level of rationality in human reasoning and decision making. Until now, such conditionals have been the subject of independent study by psychologists and philosophers. In this volume, Jonathan Evans and David Over present a new theoretical approach to understanding hypothetical thought. The book draws on studies from the psychology of judgement and decision making, as well as philosophical logic.
Reviews / Votes
If should be read by all if-aficionados. It doesn't claim to be the last word on this irritating little word, but it is full of provocative ideas from psychology and philosophy. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Vol 9, No 2More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
fig., num. tab.
numerous tables and figures
ISBN-13
978-0-19-852512-7 (9780198525127)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Content
1. 'If' and the problem of hypothetical thought; 2. The logic of indicative conditionals; 3. Indicative conditionals: the psychological evidence; 4. The mental logic and mental models of indicative conditionals; 5. Hypothetical thinking with 'if': the case of the selection task; 6. Conditionals in context; 7. Counterfactuals: philosophical and psychological difficulties; 8. Probabilistic accounts of conditionals; 9. Towards a theory of 'if'