Review by Choice Review
In this dense volume, Auyang (who has a background in physics) presents a critique of cognitive science and a proposal for remedying what she sees as its flaws. The author argues that cognitive science too often views the mind as detached from the world, separated by the "veil" of mental representations. As a consequence, she argues, cognitive scientists have failed to address how meaning, awareness, and subjectivity arise through mental representation. She opposes what she refers to as the notion of a "closed mind controlled by mind designers," i.e., artificial intelligence and neuroscience researchers who "design" the mind without reference to where its meaning and autonomy come from. As an alternative, Auyang offers a model of "the mind open to the world," that is, a mind whose workings are rooted in everyday experience and interaction with the physical world. Though she makes several astute points, the argument is difficult to follow, seems unnecessarily antagonistic at many points, and is likely to be tough going for any reader other than dedicated researchers in the area of philosophy of mind. Not recommended for undergraduates. R. Compton Haverford College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
