As enthusiasm for computational models of the mind has waned and the revolution in neuroscience has progressed, attention in philosophy and cognitive science has shifted toward more biological approaches. The Living Mind establishes that mind cannot be immaterial or reduced to mechanistic or cybernetic processes, but must instead possess a subjectivity embodied in an animal organism. On this basis, the work proceeds to show why mind involves a pre-conscious psyche, a non-discursive consciousness and self-consciousness, and an intelligence overcoming the opposition of consciousness. In so doing, The Living Mind provides a detailed account of the psyche and consciousness, paving the way for conceiving the psychological enabling conditions of rational theory and practice.
The Living Mind: From Psyche to Consciousness
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Winfield has achieved a fundamental, systematic and comprehensive re-thinking of the problem of mind. Grounded in a critical reconstruction of Aristotle and Hegel, it draws upon a broad range of ancient, modern and contemporary philosophers to establish that mind must necessarily be materially embodied in living, animal organism, and must manifest itself in the three distinguishable phases of psyche, consciousness and intelligence, thoroughly exploring the sometimes surprising implications of such an analysis. It answers the need for a thoroughly non-Cartesian account of mind better than any available alternative. I would not teach the philosophy of mind again without using this work. -- Philip T. Grier, Thomas Bowman Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Dickinson College Winfield (Univ. of Georgia), best known for his work on Hegel and in social/political philosophy, here turns his attention to the philosophy of mind. The theory he offers, which is heavily influenced by both Hegel and Aristotle, resists categorization in the standard terms of the contemporary debate. Though Winfield firmly rejects the view of the mind as immaterial, he also denies that one can reduce mentality to material or functional processes. In his view, mind is essentially embodied in animal form and thus is best conceived of in a "zoological" manner. This comes closest, perhaps, to the kind of nonreductive materialism associated with John Searle. In contrast to Searle's view, Winfield sees mind as comprising three distinct elements: a preconscious psyche, a nondiscursive consciousness and self-consciousness, and an intelligence. The book is strongest in its arguments against Cartesianism and its efforts to establish the material preconditions of mind. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above. CHOICE
About the Author
Richard Dien Winfield is a professor of philosophy at the University of Georgia and is the author of numerous books, including: Hegel and Mind, Modernity, Religion, and the War on Terror, and From Concept to Objectivity.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
i'm ready for volume 2
1 Dec 2012
By barryb
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Winfield's work is always well-researched and presented systematically. This no exception. The book is excellent. The triad presented is: PSYCHE - CONSCIOUSNESS - SELF C. "intelligence" is not covered in this volume; so we'll see if he writes volume 2. This book presents the triad with lingering elements from the previous moment - as Hegel intended. He is true to Hegel and does not "slant" the data, but stays centered on an authentic "Hegel". It s a great prelude to understanding what leads up to intelligence. Used copies are available at better prices also. Extremely high recommendation. Get it.
0 of 8 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
A good potential unrealized
3 Dec 2012
By Living Spirit community
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Richard Windshield's The Living Mind, on the surface, seems to be a thorough and systematic discussion of the mind, psyche and consciousness. I was highly motivated to delve into his perspective based on the table of contents, reviews and book jacket descriptions. The retail price of $96 seemed out of line, but I was hungry for a new well-thought-out perspective for my book in process on consciousness.
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of beginning to highlight some poignant points before I was able to truly understand his writing style and bias. His writing style is that of one who has achieved all the right answers, and is not hesitant to systematically build his case based on the conclusions (facts, opinions, logical conclusions, certainties, and misunderstandings) that his intellectual mind uses to create his truth (reality) of the world. His mental box is so tight and restrictive that he is able to produce a headache for one who truly seeks to understand him.
His bias comes from is his conclusion that mental certainty means truth and that his mental certainty is superior. Therefore, his bias shows through on every page through his 8 to 10 uses of words like must, requires, only, not, etc. If he was open when he was doing his research, he is closed in his writings. From what I did read (more than half), he seems to conclude that there is no higher source of insight, truth or revelation than the mental mind. This bias makes his book of little value to anyone who understands the reality of the realms of mind beyond the mental.
As to the information and knowledge that he attempts to communicate, his restrictive mental bias and style makes it difficult for anyone other than a mentalist to follow. This is also unfortunate because in his bibliography, he references many philosophers and scientists who have transcended mental certainty to achieve insights and conclusions that factor in the transpersonal as well as the personal.
For these reasons, I cannot recommend spending even a third of what his price is for this book. For me, the index he provided may be valuable in better understanding others' points of view on the topics he covered in his book.
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of beginning to highlight some poignant points before I was able to truly understand his writing style and bias. His writing style is that of one who has achieved all the right answers, and is not hesitant to systematically build his case based on the conclusions (facts, opinions, logical conclusions, certainties, and misunderstandings) that his intellectual mind uses to create his truth (reality) of the world. His mental box is so tight and restrictive that he is able to produce a headache for one who truly seeks to understand him.
His bias comes from is his conclusion that mental certainty means truth and that his mental certainty is superior. Therefore, his bias shows through on every page through his 8 to 10 uses of words like must, requires, only, not, etc. If he was open when he was doing his research, he is closed in his writings. From what I did read (more than half), he seems to conclude that there is no higher source of insight, truth or revelation than the mental mind. This bias makes his book of little value to anyone who understands the reality of the realms of mind beyond the mental.
As to the information and knowledge that he attempts to communicate, his restrictive mental bias and style makes it difficult for anyone other than a mentalist to follow. This is also unfortunate because in his bibliography, he references many philosophers and scientists who have transcended mental certainty to achieve insights and conclusions that factor in the transpersonal as well as the personal.
For these reasons, I cannot recommend spending even a third of what his price is for this book. For me, the index he provided may be valuable in better understanding others' points of view on the topics he covered in his book.
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