New Foundations for the Philosophy of Mind and the Mind Sciences - Gualtiero Piccinini (University of Missouri)

9 luglio 2025, h14.30-16.30

Via Ostiense 234 — Aula Matassi

New Foundations for the Philosophy of Mind and the Mind Sciences
Gualtiero Piccinini (University of Missouri)

Abstract: I defend the view that progress in our understanding of the mind requires understanding how the brain works. Therefore, neuroscience makes a profound difference to psychology and the philosophy of mind. I begin by listing the main versions of the influential Autonomist Picture of the mind, according to which psychology and the philosophy of mind are autonomous from neuroscience. I also point out that Reductionism, which rejects Autonomism, tends to leave Autonomists entrenched in their position. Then, I sketch an Integrationist Picture that rejects Autonomism without thereby endorsing Reductionism. According to such an Integrationist Picture, mental processes at different levels of organization are interdependent and explain perception, thought, and action in complex ways that must be studied empirically, and neuroscience is indispensable to studying and understanding multilevel mental processes. I conclude by providing some examples of ways in which paying attention to the brain leads to changing foundational assumptions about the mind.

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