Fodor: Language, Mind and Philosophy

by M.J. Cain

Jerry Fodor is one of the most important philosophers of mind in recent decades. He has done much to set the agenda in this field and has had a significant influence on the development of cognitive science. Fodor's project is that of constructing a physicalist vindication of folk psychology and so paving the way for the development of a scientifically respectable intentional psychology. The centrepiece of his engagement in this project is a theory of the cognitive mind, namely, the computational theory of mind, which postulates the existence of a language of thought. Language, Mind and Philosophy is a comprehensive study of Fodor's writings. Individual chapters are devoted to each of the major issues raised by his work and contain extensive discussion of his relationships to key developments in cognitive science and to the views of such philosophical luminaries as Dennett, Davidson and Searle.
This accessible book will appeal to advanced level undergraduate students of philosophy and related disciplines. It will also be of great interest to professional philosophers and cognitive scientists.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 8, 2002

Reviews

[Sam Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic monograph on Fodor's thought. A range of topics are covered, and Cain integrates these individual sections into a wider picture of Fodor's philosophical project. Explanations are for the most part are lucid, and there are good surveys of critical responses to Fodor's arguments. I expect this will be the book to read on Fodor for years to come.