Causation in Psychology

John Campbell

Published by Harvard University Press 2020

Causation in Psychology

John Campbell

https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674249547

Overview
Contents

About this book

Philosopher John Campbell argues that humans are unique in our ability to imagine singular causation. While robots and nonhuman animals rely on general axioms concerning what causes what, humans can imagine the specific causes of specific outcomes. This suggests that even lifelike artificial intelligence will never truly empathize with humans.

Reviews

I found this book highly engaging. The parts about Karl Jaspers and social robots are packed with insights that will make you nod and smile. Campbell argues that singular causation in the mind cannot be analyzed in terms of general causation, but instead is brought to light by human practices that rely on our imaginative understanding of ‘the ballistics of people’s thoughts and feelings.’ These practices include attempts to reach legal verdicts beyond a reasonable doubt about people’s motives. The book is accessible, it discusses a range of long-standing philosophical problems about action and interpretation, and no one will drown in technical details. It’s simply fantastic.
-- Susanna Siegel, Harvard University

There is a simplicity and directness with which John Campbell introduces and pursues material that has become cluttered and blocked in much philosophical discussion that has lost sight of the fundamental problems motivating such discussion in the first place. Causation in Psychology offers genuine, true solutions that should change the philosophical landscape for good. A fascinating, deeply original book.
-- Bill Brewer, King’s College London

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Introduction: General vs. Singular Causation Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
One. The Space of Reasons and the Space of Causes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	13
Two. Singular Causation Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	53
Three. Social Robots Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	105
Four. The Mind-Body Problem Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	150
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	189
Acknowledgments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	199
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	201

Language: English
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Pages
- Main content: 192

eBook

Published: December 1, 2020
ISBN: 9780674249547