The Architecture of the Mind: Massive Modularity and the Flexibility of Thought - Softcover

Carruthers, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199207070 ISBN 13: 9780199207077

Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A., 2006

Synopsis

Magnum opus by a leading philosopher of mind.

About this title

Review

No one will read The Architecture of the Mind without being informed, stimulated, challenged and inspired. It is essential reading. (Keith Frankish, The Philosophical Quarterly)

For over a decade, the massive modularity hypothesis has been center-stage in debates about cognitive architecture and evolutionary psychology. In this bold, wide-ranging and ambitious book, Carruthers sets out and defends what is, by far, the clearest and most plausible version of the massive modularity hypothesis to be found in the literature. He also explores the often surprising implications of his version of massive modularity for a wide range of issues including creativity, consciousness, norms and scientific reasoning. This is the best sort of interdisciplinary research - innovative, broadly informed, and crystal clear. It's essential reading for anyone interested in how the human mind works and how it evolved. (Stephen Stich, Rutgers University)

Carruthers's book - ostensibly a defence of "massive modularity" - provides what is surely the richest and most complete picture of the mind to date, laying out the structure of human and animal minds with unparalleled empirical richness and philosophical rigour. It is one of the most important books in the philosophy of mind in decades. A truly monumental achievement. (Stephen Laurence, University of Sheffield)

A magnificent defence of the massive modularity thesis, showing how this view of the mind - and only this view - is compatible with both our understanding of human evolution and of human creativity. (Steven Mithen FBA, Professor of Early Prehistory, University of Reading)

The Architecture of the Mind is as brave as it is massive. At time a when most mainstream cognitive psychologists have dismissed the possibility that the mind might be importantly modular, Carruthers has launched a valiant, state-of-the-art defense, touching on insights from biology, animal behavior, and experimental psychology. If you care about the modularity hypothesis - and every cognitive scientist should - you owe it to yourself to read this book. (Gary Marcus, New York University and Director of the NYU Infant Language Learning Center)

It is a sweeping synthesis, covering a vast range of material, while arguing persuasively for an architecture of the mind (and brain!) that is more all encompassing but somewhat weaker than Fodorian modularity. For anyone interested in the current status of the modularity hypothesis, this is a must-read. (Randy Gallistel, Prof of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Rutgers University)

About the Author

Peter Carruthers is at University of Maryland.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0199207070
• ISBN 13: 9780199207077
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 486