Soul, Mind and Brain from Descartes to Cognitive Science

This book explores the evolution of ideas from Descartes to modern cognitive science, examining the interplay between consciousness, cognition, and neuroscience.

This interdisciplinary book, Soul, Mind and Brain from Descartes to Cognitive Science, connects the historical insights of Descartes with the ideas of his successors, providing a comprehensive overview of current research in the neuroscience of consciousness, the brain, and cognition. It serves as a crucial historical survey, highlighting the continuities and discontinuities between past and present thinkers across various fields, including philosophy, physiology, psychology, and neuroscience.

The text delves into early discussions surrounding consciousness, exploring metaphysical alternatives to scientific explanations and examining the relationship between consciousness and brain activity. It raises important questions about the potential and limitations of neuroscientific approaches to understanding consciousness and cognition. A significant proposition discussed in the book is the concept of “non-reductive naturalism,” which relates to phenomenal consciousness and rationality.

The author evaluates the contributions of influential early philosophers and scientists, such as Descartes, Malebranche, Spinoza, Leibniz, and others, linking their work to that of contemporary researchers in the fields of psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind. By bridging historical and modern perspectives, Soul, Mind and Brain from Descartes to Cognitive Science is an essential resource for researchers and advanced students interested in the intricate relationship between mind, consciousness, and brain function.