Analysis of Mind, The [Muirhead Library of Philosophy]

Russell, Bertrand

ISBN 10: 0041500148 / ISBN 13: 9780041500141

Published by George Allen & Unwin, 1971

About this Item

Book is in excellent condition with gilt print at spine, red tinted page ends at top Binding is solid and square, covers have sharp corners, exterior shows no blemishes, text/interior is clean and free of marking of any kind. Dust jacket is price clipped and shows the slightest signs of shelf wear only with chipping at top spine, no tears, now wrapped in clear protective cover. 310 pages, contents include: Desire and feeling, Definition of perception, Words and meaning, Emotions and will, Characteristics of mental phenomena, etc.

Seller Inventory # 153828

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Analysis of Mind, The [Muirhead Library of Philosophy]
• Publisher: George Allen & Unwin
• Publication Date: 1971
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0041500148
• ISBN 13: 9780041500141
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Philosophy

About this title

Synopsis

This book has grown out of an attempt to harmonize two different tendencies, one in psychology, the other in physics, with both of which I find myself in sympathy, although at first sight they might seem inconsistent. On the one hand, many psychologists, especially those of the behaviourist school, tend to adopt what is essentially a materialistic position, as a matter of method if not of metaphysics. They make psychology increasingly dependent on physiology and external observation, and tend to think of matter as something much more solid and indubitable than mind. Meanwhile the physicists, especially Einstein and other exponents of the theory of relativity, have been making "matter" less and less material. Their world consists of "events," from which "matter" is derived by a logical construction. Whoever reads, for example, Professor Eddington's "Space, Time and Gravitation" (Cambridge University Press, 1920), will see that an old-fashioned materialism can receive no support from modern physics. I think that what has permanent value in the outlook of the behaviourists is the feeling that physics is the most fundamental science at present in existence. But this position cannot be called materialistic, if, as seems to be the case, physics does not assume the existence of matter.

Review

"A most brilliant essay in psychology."-"New Statesman ." . . [A]n inhabitation of great charm and most fascinatingly furnished; not to speak of the wonderful quality of light that reigns in there.."-Joseph Conrad