The Mind Doesn't Work That Way

The Scope and Limits of Computational Psychology

Jerry A. Fodor

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The Mind Doesn't Work That Way" by Jerry A. Fodor is a captivating exploration of how the mind functions. Fodor critically examines popular theories that propose the mind operates as a computer or follows simple algorithms. With razor-sharp analysis, he challenges the idea that the mind can be reduced to a set of computational processes.

In this thought-provoking book, Fodor argues that the mind's intricate operations cannot be adequately understood through computational models alone. He highlights the limitations of computational theories, revealing how they oversimplify complex cognitive processes such as language acquisition, perception, and problem-solving.

Fodor proposes an alternative hypothesis called the "modularity of mind," which suggests that the mind is composed of specialized cognitive modules that are responsible for specific tasks. He presents compelling evidence from various domains, including language, vision, and reasoning, to support his theory.

Throughout the book, Fodor engages with opposing viewpoints and offers insightful critiques of alternative theories, shedding light on the fundamental flaws of these approaches.

"The Mind Doesn't Work That Way" is a must-read for anyone interested in cognitive science, philosophy of mind, or psychology. Fodor's comprehensive analysis challenges conventional wisdom and seeks to redefine our understanding of how the mind truly operates.

Explore More Books

See All
Infinite Powers
Becoming
Subliminal
She Has Her Mother's Laugh
Facing Love Addiction
What is Life?
Nature Via Nurture
Bet With the Best
The Messy Middle
The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty
The Power of Positive Thinking
The Parasitic Mind
The Upanishads
As A Man Thinketh
Focus
Pebbles of Perception
Payoff
The Persian Expedition
The Farming Ladder
To Sell is Human
Expert Political Judgement
The Box
The Mathematics of Politics
A Higher Loyalty
The Omnivore's Dilemma
One Monster After Another
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia
At Home in the Universe
Energy Transitions
Growth
Distress
Influence
Inside Trump's White House
Sperm Wars
Modern Man in Search of a Soul
A Time for New Dreams
The Way of Kings
The Gun Seller
The Cost Of Hope
The Sun Also Rises
The Bias That Divides Us
Built To Last
The Inevitable
Pale Rider
On Writing Well
Technically Food
Understanding Comics
The Search
The 4 Hour Body
The Long Tail
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Barbarian Days
Have Space Suit - Will Travel
Game of Thorns
Peak
The Culture Code
Reboot
The Tartar Steppe
Pasture Perfect
XKCD
How The West Grew Rich
The Bed of Procrustes
The Art Of Doing Science And Engineering
The Compleat Strategyst
The PayPal Wars
Elvis Cole Series
Human Action
Money: Master The Game
Snow Crash
A Peace to End All Peace
Changes in the Land
Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish
Why Buy Bitcoin
Kingpin
Eisenhower
100 Best-Loved Poems
Heaven on Earth
The Araboolies of Liberty Street
Good Profit
Tao Te Ching
Being Wrong
Who's In Charge
Dance to the Tune of Life
Don't Feed the Monkey Mind
The Sleepwalkers
Immortality
Direct Truth
Cryptonomicon
The Courage To Be Disliked
Physics of the Impossible
Against The Gods
Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha
The Book of Nothing
No Easy Day
Inside the Rise of HBO
Discovering Your Personality Type
The Lean Startup
Something Like an Autobiography
The Purple Cow
Wild Swans