Branch of [[Philosophy]] that investigates the nature of the mind, mental properties, [[consciousness]], and their relationship to the physical body. It addresses questions about [[perception]], thought, intentionality, and the mind-body problem.
- Core Questions
- What is the nature of [[Consciousness]]?
- How does mind relate to body (mind-body problem)?
- What is the nature of mental states and properties?
- Can machines think?
- Key Topics
- [[Consciousness]]
- subjective experience and awareness
- [[Determinism]]
- [[free will]] and agency
- Intentionality
- how mental states represent or refer to things
- Qualia
- subjective, qualitative aspects of experience
- Mental causation
- how mental states affect physical states
- Related Fields
- [[Cognitive Psychology]]
- empirical study of mental processes
- [[Cognitive Neuroscience]]
- neural basis of cognition
- [[Neuroscience]]
- biological substrate of mind
- [[Psychology]]
- scientific study of behavior and mental processes
- [[Philosophy|Philosophical]] Positions
- Dualism
- mind and body are distinct substances
- Physicalism
- mental states are physical states
- Functionalism
- mental states defined by their functional roles
- Eliminativism
- folk [[psychology]] should be replaced by [[neuroscience]]