Belief

A Pragmatic Picture

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Mind & Body, Science & Nature, Science
Cover of the book Belief by Aaron Z. Zimmerman, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Aaron Z. Zimmerman ISBN: 9780192537331
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: April 12, 2018
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Aaron Z. Zimmerman
ISBN: 9780192537331
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: April 12, 2018
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

Have you ever called yourself a "pragmatist"? Have you ever wondered what that means? Aaron Zimmerman traces the origins of pragmatism to a theory of belief defended by the nineteenth-century Scottish philosopher Alexander Bain, and defends a novel take on the pragmatic theory in light of contemporary cognitive neuroscience, social psychology, and evolutionary biology. Pragmatists define their beliefs in terms of information poised to guide our more attentive, controlled actions. Zimmerman describes the consequences of this definition for the reader's thinking on the relation between psychology and philosophy, the mind and brain, the nature of delusion, faith, pretence, racism, and more. He employs research on animal cognition to argue against the propositional attitude analysis of belief now popular among Anglo-American philosophers, offers pragmatic diagnoses of Capgras syndrome and various forms of racial cognition, and defends William James' famous doctrine of the "will to believe". Zimmerman believes we often have room to believe what we want. Indeed, the adoption of a theory of belief is an instance of this very phenomenon.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Have you ever called yourself a "pragmatist"? Have you ever wondered what that means? Aaron Zimmerman traces the origins of pragmatism to a theory of belief defended by the nineteenth-century Scottish philosopher Alexander Bain, and defends a novel take on the pragmatic theory in light of contemporary cognitive neuroscience, social psychology, and evolutionary biology. Pragmatists define their beliefs in terms of information poised to guide our more attentive, controlled actions. Zimmerman describes the consequences of this definition for the reader's thinking on the relation between psychology and philosophy, the mind and brain, the nature of delusion, faith, pretence, racism, and more. He employs research on animal cognition to argue against the propositional attitude analysis of belief now popular among Anglo-American philosophers, offers pragmatic diagnoses of Capgras syndrome and various forms of racial cognition, and defends William James' famous doctrine of the "will to believe". Zimmerman believes we often have room to believe what we want. Indeed, the adoption of a theory of belief is an instance of this very phenomenon.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Treaties on Transit of Energy via Pipelines and Countermeasures by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Culture and Anarchy by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Philosophical Foundations of Language in the Law by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book A Pocket Philosophical Dictionary by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Republic by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Landmark Papers in Nephrology by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Hobbes: A Very Short Introduction by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book The Neuroscience of Tinnitus by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Beauty Imagined by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Enforcing International Cultural Heritage Law by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Modification of Treaties by Subsequent Practice by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Nationalism and War by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book The Judicial Construction of Europe by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book A Dictionary of Human Resource Management by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy