The Mental as Physical

The central theme of this impressively argued study is that the mental and physical are identical. Drawing heavily on recent scientific research into the mind-brain relationship, Dr Wilson argues that human mentality, rationality and purposefulness are phenomena which come within the compass of scientifically based explanation. The consequences of this thesis are enormous both in relation to the controversies about reasons and causes as explanations of human behaviour, and, more important, to the problems of free will, moral responsibility, penal philosophy, ethics and the law. The book argues that free will is a misconceived idea and that our notions of moral responsibility need radical revision. The book is of considerable relevance not only to academic philosophy but also to scientists and jurisprudents interested in the implications of this study. Originally published in 1979.

Edgar Wilson

Introduction, Edgar Wilson; Part 1 Part One, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 1 Conceptual Thinking and Philosophical Disagreement, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 2 Two Incompatible Models of Persons, Edgar Wilson; Part 2 Part Two, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 3 The Mental and the Physical, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 4 Mind-Brain Identity Theory, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 5 Objections to Mind-Brain Identity Theory, Edgar Wilson; Part 3 Part Three, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 6 Causal Necessity, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 7 Human Action, Edgar Wilson; Part 4 Part Four, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 8 Free-Will and Determinism, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 9 Moral Responsibility, Edgar Wilson; Part 5 Part Five, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 10 Physicalism and Jurisprudence, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 11 The Reasonable Man, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 12 Crime, Disease and Maladjustment, Edgar Wilson; Chapter 13 The Mental as Physical, Edgar Wilson;