On human persons /
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| Imprint: | Frankfurt : Ontos, 2003. |
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| Description: | 214 p. ; 21 cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Series: | Metaphysical research ; Bd. 1 |
| Subject: | |
| Format: | Print Book |
| URL for this record: | http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/5548450 |
| Summary: | Human beings are persons. But what exactly are persons? Are we immaterial souls or Cartesian egos that only contingently have bodies? Or are persons nothing over and above their bodies? Are they essentially or most fundamentally animals, evolved beings of a certain sort? Or are we constituted beings with a certain capacity that distinguishes persons from everything else? What is necessary, and what is sufficient, for an entity to be classified or (re-) identified as a person? What is the value of an analysis of such (biological or psychological) conditions? What does it contribute to our understanding of us as free agents or as beings wanting to live their individual lives?<br> <br> In an age in which issues of "identity" and "identity theft" have become common currency, the issues raised here should be of profound interest to scientists, as well as social and biological specialists in the mind-body relationship. A critical issue discussed is whether the human person is essentially a biological entity or a psychological creation, and in turn whether behavior is defined by basic needs or by more abstract goals and aims. A number of chapters take up issues of personal identity as a response to the reductionism of man as a machine or man as animal.<br> <br> The essays are primarily concerned with the metaphysics of persons and the criteria of personal identity, but also touch on problems of the theory of action and of practical behavior. This volume indicates how current trends in the philosophy of science address concerns of significance for the social sciences, especially psychology and sociology. Its great merit is that it avoids the taken-for-granted attitude, the sense of the given, and instead explores the meaning of what is presumed and assumed rather than described and explained. This volume will be of special concern to those involved in experimental research as well as theoretical moorings.<br> <br> Contributors include Lynne Rudder Baker (University of Massachusetts), Michael B. Burke (Indiana University), Daniel Cohnitz (Universitt Dsseldorf) , Kevin J. Corcoran (Calvin College), Brian Garrett (Australian National University), Eric T. Olson (University of Sheffield), Klaus Petrus (Institut fr Philosophie, Bern), Paul Snowdon (University College London), Thomas Spitzley ( Universitt Duisburg-Essen), Kathe Trettin (Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universitt), and Daniel von Wachter (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitt). |
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| Item Description: | Essays. 9 English, 2 German contributions. |
| Physical Description: | 214 p. ; 21 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |
| ISBN: | 3937202315 1904632203 |
