Dispositional Properties (Philosophical Explorations) - Hardcover

Weissman Ph.D., David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0809301636 ISBN 13: 9780809301638

Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press, 1965

Synopsis

In" Dispositional Properties," David Weissman attacks a problem central to the philosophy of mind and, by implication, to the theory of Are there potentialities, capabilities, which dispose the mind to think in one way rather than another?The volume is arranged in the form of four arguments that converge upon a single point. First, there is an intricate discussion of the shortcomings of Hume's account of mind as ideas and impressions. Next comes a brief treatment of the arguments of some of Weissman's contemporaries, including Carnap and Braithwaite. Third, Weissman discusses Wittgenstein's theories of learning and knowledge. Finally, there is a full discussion of Aristotle and his doctrine of potentialities.The question this book ultimately raises is how to steer between a doctrine of mind as no more than a series of acts, on the one hand, and a doctrine of mind as a kind of unitary object, on the other. The solution is to show first of all that there must be a potentiality in the universe, and then to show clearly and in detail that the mind is shot through with that potentiality.a"

About this title

About the Author

David Weissman is a professor of philosophy at the City College of New York. He is the author of several books, including Styles of Thought, The Cage, Lost Souls, and A Social Ontology.

Edition details

• Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
• Publication date: 1965
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0809301636
• ISBN 13: 9780809301638
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 232