The Concept of Mind

The Concept of Mind challenges the classical distinction between mind and matter which has haunted philosopy and psychology since the time of Descartes. Professor Ryle first describes the Cartesian Myth in its most general form, then traces, explains, and combats its influence on tradition theories of will, feeling, imagination, perception, and thought. The nature of knowledge, of dispositions, of mental acts is carefully analysed., and a theory of mind is presented from which the Cartesian myth is dispelled. The psychology which thus emerges does justice, as the Cartesian traditions cannot, to our ordinary common-sense views aboutthe workings of our own and other people's minds.