Philosophy of mind

"We have all along spoken of that which thinks, or mind, as so remarkably different, in its properties, from matter, as to present a ground of distinction quite sufficient for all the common purposes of life. We may even go further, and remark, that the philosophy of mind might be substantially conducted apart from any opinions as to the nature of mind itself; for this philosophy chiefly consists in the observation, the registry, the arrangement, the succession, and so far as it can be carried, the analysis of its various faculties, states, or phenomena."

"The most fundamental question in the philosophy of mind, for Spinoza, is this: What is it for a thought or idea to represent, to be about, a particular object?"

"Among the various subjects of the inquiry, however, which, inconsequence of the vague use of language, are comprehended under the general title of metaphysics, there are some, which are essentially distinguished from the rest, both by the degree of evidence which accompanies their principles, and by the relation which they bear to the useful sciences and arts: and it has unfortunately happened, that these have shared in that general discredit, into which the other branches of metaphysics have fallen. To this circumstance is probably to be ascribed, the little progress which has hitherto been made in the PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN MIND; a science, so interesting in its nature, and so important in its applications, that it could scarcely have failed, in these inquisitive and enlightened times, to have excited a very general attention, if it had not accidentally been classed, in the public opinion with the vain and unprofitable disquisitions of the schoolmen."

"Spinoza’s philosophy of mind is, in many ways, the richest and most challenging part of his metaphysical system. Here, perhaps, more than anywhere else, Spinoza is ahead of his time."

"In a sense... the philosophy of mind originated together with philosophy itself. Beginning with Platos reflection on the immortality of the soul, themes that are relevant to what we today call “philosophy of mind” have never faded from philosophical debate. Aristotles reflections, developed in candid contrast to the doctrines defended by Plato, concentrated on the analysis of the various mental faculties according to an approach that has persevered over the years, throughout the Middle Ages and even the Modern Era. — one of the fundamental themes discussed from the beginning of the seventeenth century — proves to be one of the most powerful thematizations of the mind/body relationship in the history of philosophy."

"Many books and articles on consciousness have appeared in the past few years, and one might think that we are making progress. But on a closer look, most of this work leaves the hardest problems about consciousness untouched. Often, such work addresses what might be called the "easy" problems of consciousness: How does the brain process environmental stimulation? How does it integrate information? How do we produce reports on internal states? These are important questions, but to answer them is not to solve the hard problem: Why is all this processing accompanied by an experienced inner life? Sometimes this question is ignored entirely; sometimes it is put off until another day; and sometimes it is simply declared answered. But in each case, one is left with the feeling that the central problem remains as puzzling as ever. This puzzlement is not a cause for despair; rather, it makes the problem of consciousness one of the most exciting intellectual challenges of our time."