Philosophy of Mind

A deep concern with consciousness and intentionality is one of the several things that has lately moved into the centre of the philosophy of mind. The issue of consciousness is often treated as something distinct from intentionality, but – as Tim Crane notes in his incisive new Foreword – there is now something of a sea-change. This classic volume may be at least partly responsible for the shift in how philosophy of mind is starting to be understood. Before its first appearance, discussions of consciousness and intentionality in the context of perception were in their infancy. The book was a departure from the way this part of philosophy was conceived. It pointed to new ways to look at the discipline, addressing both the epistemology of mind, and intentionality and consciousness, especially in connection with perception. Showcasing many leading figures in the field, it offers a splendid overview of the issues at stake.

Anthony O'Hear, OBE, is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Buckingham. He is an Honorary Director of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and Editor of the Institute's journal Philosophy. Tim Crane is Professor of Philosophy at Central European University in Vienna. He was formerly (from 2009-17) Knightbridge Professor of Philosophy in the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Peterhouse. His most recent book is The Meaning of Belief: Religion from an Atheist's Point of View (Harvard University Press, 2017). From 2012-20 he served as Philosophy Consultant Editor of the Times Literary Supplement.