Mind, Cognition and Representation

This book traces the historical roots of the cognitive sciences and examines pre-modern conceptualizations of the mind as presented and discussed in the tradition of commentaries on Aristotle's De anima from 1200 until 1650. It explores medieval and Renaissance views on questions which today would be classified under the philosophy of mind - questions regarding the identity and nature of the mind and its cognitive relation to the material world. It also explores the development of scholastic ideas, concepts, arguments, and theories in the tradition of commentaries on De anima, and their relation to modern philosophy. By placing key issues in their philosophico-historical context, not only is due attention paid to Aristotle's own views, but also to those of less popular medieval and Renaissance commentators.