Evolutionary psychology and the propositional-attitudes : two mechanist manifestos / by Alex Walter.

By:

Walter, Alex

Material type: Text

TextSeries: Springer Briefs in philosophyPublication details: New York : Springer, c2012.Description: xii, 85 pages : 23 cmISBN:

9789400729681

Subject(s):

LOC classification:

BF 698.95 .W35 2012

Summary: The two essays provide a critical examination of theory and research in the field of evolutionary psychology. The view advanced here is that philosophical materialism and minimalist assumptions about adaptation serve Darwinian psychology better than the more popular alternative view that relies on cognitive dualism and propositional-attitude psychology to formulate evolutionary psychology theory. A commitment to cognitive dualism is destined to undermine the physical basis of behavior upon which evolutionary theory depends. Many evolutionary psychologists do not see this but are seduced by the easy way in which hypotheses can be formulated using the ‘propositional-attitude’ model. The challenge is to develop a materialistic and mechanistic approach to understanding human cognition and behavior, including linguistic and social behavior.

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Holdings
Item type	Current library	Call number	Status	Barcode
Open Shelf	Albukhary International University LEVEL 2	BF 698.95 .W35 2012 (Browse shelf(Opens below))	Available	1100031565

Total holds: 0

The two essays provide a critical examination of theory and research in the field of evolutionary psychology. The view advanced here is that philosophical materialism and minimalist assumptions about adaptation serve Darwinian psychology better than the more popular alternative view that relies on cognitive dualism and propositional-attitude psychology to formulate evolutionary psychology theory. A commitment to cognitive dualism is destined to undermine the physical basis of behavior upon which evolutionary theory depends. Many evolutionary psychologists do not see this but are seduced by the easy way in which hypotheses can be formulated using the ‘propositional-attitude’ model. The challenge is to develop a materialistic and mechanistic approach to understanding human cognition and behavior, including linguistic and social behavior.

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