Other Minds: Other Minds

How do we know whether there are other minds besides our own? The problem of other minds raises many questions which are at the root of all philosophical investigations - how it is we know, what is the mind and can we be certain about any of our beliefs? In this compelling analysis of 'other minds' Anita Avramides traces the question from the Ancient Sceptics through to Descartes, Malebranche, Locke, Berkeley, Reid and Wittgenstein. The second part of the book explores the views of influential contemporary philosophers such as Strawson, Davidson, Nagel and Searle. Other Minds provides a clear insightful introduction to one of the most important problems in philosophy. It will prove invaluable to all students of philosophy.

Cover -- Other Minds -- Copyright -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Overview -- Philosophy and the problem of other minds -- The history of the problem -- And more history -- The problem today -- Part One: Knowledge of other minds -- Chapter I: Ancient and modern scepticism and the problem of other minds -- Introduction -- The ancient sceptics: a brief introduction -- Ancient Greek scepticism and the problem of other minds -- Ancient and modem scepticism -- Other minds: an epistemological problem? -- Chapter II: Descartes and knowledge of other minds -- Introduction -- Brief interlude: St Augustine -- Descartes and the problem of other minds -- Descartes and the argument from analogy -- Men versus automatons -- All and (of corporeal beings) only human animals have minds -- The test of a real man -- Descartes' optimism -- Chapter III: Malebranche and knowledge of other men's souls -- Introduction -- Knowledge of one's own mind -- Knowledge of bodies -- Knowledge of other men's minds -- Brief interlude: Arnaud on Malebranche on knowledge of other minds -- Chapter IV: John Locke and knowledge of other spirits -- Introduction -- Our idea of mind -- '[Immaterial] substance,…