Experiencing Pain: A Scientific Enigma and Its Philosophical Solution

Sabrina Coninx

Published by De Gruyter 2020

Experiencing Pain

A Scientific Enigma and Its Philosophical Solution

Sabrina Coninx

Volume 44 in the series Epistemic Studies

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110688405

Overview
Contents

About this book

Although pain is one of the most fundamental and unique experiences we undergo in everyday life, it also constitutes one of the most enigmatic and frustrating subjects for many scientists. This book provides a detailed analysis of why this issue is grounded in the nature of pain itself. It also offers a philosophically driven solution of how we may still approach pain in a theoretically compelling and practically useful manner. Two main theses are defended: (i) Pain seems inscrutable because there exists no property that is commonly shared by all types of pain and that is at the same time particular to pain, setting it apart from other bodily sensations. This applies irrespective of whether we consider the psychological dimensions, neural networks, causal relations or biological functions of pain. Consequently, it is impossible to refer to ideal far-reaching and ideal distinct generalizations on the matter of pain. (ii) Despite this challenge, by focusing on the resemblance relations that hold across pains, we can generate scientific progress in explaining, predicting and treating pain. In doing so, the book aims to provide a clear conceptual basis for interdisciplinary communication and a useful heuristic for future research.

Author / Editor information

Sabrina Coninx, Ruhr University Bochum.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Figures & Tables Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
1 Stage Setting Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	4
2 Synchronic Properties Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	27
3 Diachronic Properties Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	71
4 Family Resemblance Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	125
5 Conclusion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	161
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	165
Name Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	186
Subject Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	188

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Audience: Scholars, institutes, libraries (epistemology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science)
Pages
- Front matter: 10
- Main content: 190
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 4
- Coloured Illustrations: 3
Keywords: Chronic pain; strong intentionalism; scientific eliminativism; family resemblance

eBook

Published: October 12, 2020
ISBN: 9783110688405

Hardcover

Published: October 12, 2020
ISBN: 9783110688375