An Empirical Challenge to the Philosophical Conception of Mind Cover Image

Empiricka vyzva filosofickému pojeti mysli
An Empirical Challenge to the Philosophical Conception of Mind

Author(s): Martin Vraný
Subject(s): Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind
Published by: Filozofický ústav SAV
Keywords: Cognitive architecture; consciousness; language; philosophy of mind; modularity; unity of mind;

Summary/Abstract: The article reflects on influential views of the mind that come from cognitive science and seem to undermine the traditional philosophical view that the mind is simply unified and transparent to itself. Specifically, the modularity thesis is presented, along with its important modifications and criticisms, suggesting that the apparent unity can be ascribed only to higher cognition, if at all. Various theories of why the mind seems to be unified while being composed of autonomous modules are discussed. The overview results in the conclusion that our linguistic capacity plays a prominent role in the unity of the mind.

  • Issue Year: 20/2013
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 50-71
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Slovak