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 Naturalism, interpretation, and mental disorder by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Humanitarians at War by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book A History of Mathematics by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book China by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Decision Modelling for Health Economic Evaluation by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Cosmopolitan Peace by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book A Dictionary of Disaster Management by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Ritualized Faith by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Living Words by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Punish and Expel by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Justine, or the Misfortunes of Virtue by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Royal Bastards by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Christ as Creator by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Which People's War? by Aaron Z. Zimmerman
Cover of the book Science and Religion: A Very Short Introduction 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