The Analysis of Mind by Bertrand Russell (original) (raw)

About this eBook

Author Russell, Bertrand, 1872-1970
Title The Analysis of Mind
Credits Produced by Dianne Bean, and David Widger
Summary "The Analysis of Mind" by Bertrand Russell is a philosophical examination that explores the nature of mental phenomena and their relationship to consciousness, written in the early 20th century. This work seeks to scrutinize established definitions of mind and consciousness, engaging with contemporary psychological and physical theories to provide a comprehensive understanding of mental processes. The opening of the book presents the author's intention to analyze what occurs during mental activities like believing and desiring, laying out a critical examination against the traditional notion that consciousness is a fundamental element of mental experiences. Russell begins by rejecting the commonly held belief that consciousness is an essential characteristic that defines mental phenomena, arguing instead that both "mind" and "matter" may stem from a more primitive substance that underlies both. He introduces various psychological theories, including behaviorism and psychoanalysis, emphasizing the importance of observable behavior and the potential issues surrounding self-awareness in understanding desires and beliefs. Throughout this introduction, Russell sets the stage for a thorough exploration of mental occurrences beyond simplistic interpretations typically found in philosophy and psychology. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class BF: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Psychology, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis
Subject Psychology
Subject Consciousness
Subject Knowledge, Theory of
Category Text
EBook-No. 2529
Release Date Feb 1, 2001
Most Recently Updated Feb 7, 2013
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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