Philosophy plays an integral role in French society, affecting its art, drama, politics, and culture. In this accessible, chronological survey, Matthews offers some explanations for the enduring popularity of the subject and traces the developments that French philosophy has taken in the twentieth century, from its roots in the thoughts of Descartes to key figures such as Bergson, Sartre, Marcel, Merleau-Ponty, Foucault, Derrida, and the recent French Feminists.

Twentieth-Century French Philosophy

Matthews, Eric

History

Oxford University Press

Body-Subjects and Disordered Minds: Treating the 'Whole' Person in Psychiatry (International Perspectives in Philosophy and Psychiatry)

How should we deal with mental disorder - as an "illness" like diabetes or bronchitis, as a "problem in living", or what? This book seeks to answer such questions by going to their roots, in philosophical questions about the nature of the human mind, the ways in which it can be understood, and about the nature and aims of scientific medicine. The controversy over the nature of mental disorder and the appropriateness of the "medical model" is not just an abstract theoretical debate: it has a bearing on very practical issues of appropriate treatment, as well as on psychiatric ethics and law. A major contention of this book is that these questions are ultimately philosophical in character: they can be resolved only if we abandon some widespread philosophical assumptions about the "mind" and the "body", and about what it means for medicine to be "scientific". The "phenomenological" approach of the twentieth-century French philosopher, Maurice Merleau-Ponty is used to question these assumptions. His conception of human beings as "body-subjects" is argued to provide a more illuminating way of thinking about mental disorder and the ways in which it can be understood and treated. The conditions we conventionally call "mental disorders" are, it is argued, not a homogeneous group: the standard interpretation of the medical model fits some more readily than others. The core mental disorders, however, are best regarded as disturbed ways of being in the world, which cause unhappiness because of deviation from "human" rather than straightforwardly "biological" norms. That is, they are problems in how we experience the world and especially other people, rather than in physiological functioning - even though the nature of our experience cannot ultimately be separated from the ways in which our bodies function. This analysis is applied within the book both to issues in clinical treatment and to the special ethical and legal questions of psychiatry. Written by a well known philosopher in an accessible and clear style, this book should be of interest to a wide range of readers, from psychiatrists to social workers, lawyers, ethicists, philosophers and anyone with an interest in mental health.

Medical Books

Medicine

How should we deal with mental disorder - as an "illness" like diabetes or bronchitis, as a "problem in living" or what? This book seeks to answer such questions by going to their roots, in philosophical questions about the nature of the human mind, the ways in which it can be understood, and about the nature and aims of scientific medicine. The controversy over the nature of mental disorder and the appropriateness of the "medical model" is not just an abstract theoretical debate: it has a bearing on very practical issues of appropriate treatment, as well as on psychiatric ethics and law. A major contention of this book is that these questions are ultimately philosophical in character: they can be resolved only if we abandon some widespread philosophical assumptions about the "mind" and the "body" and about what it means for medicine to be "scientific"The "phenomenological" approach of the twentieth-century French philosopher, Maurice Merleau-Ponty is used to question these assumptions. His conception of human beings as "body-subjects" is argued to provide a more illuminating way of thinking about mental disorder and the ways in which it can be understood and treated. The conditions we conventionally call "mental disorders" are, it is argued, not a homogeneous group: the standard interpretation of the medical model fits some more readily than others. The core mental disorders, however, are best regarded as disturbed ways of being in the world, which cause unhappiness because of deviation from "human" rather than straightforwardly "biological" norms. That is, they are problems in how we experience the world and especially other people, rather than in physiological functioning - even though the nature of our experience cannot ultimately be separated from the ways in which our bodies function. This analysis is applied within the book both to issues in clinical treatment and to the special ethical and legal questions

The Philosophy of Merleau-Ponty (Volume 2) (Continental European Philosophy)

In this clear and comprehensive account of Merleau-Ponty's thought Eric Matthews shows how Merleau-Ponty has contributed to current debates in philosophy, such as the nature of consciousness, the relation between biology and personality, the historical understanding of human thought and society, and many others. Surveying the whole range of Merleau-Ponty's thinking, Matthews examines his views about the nature of phenomenology and the primacy of perception; his account of human embodiment, being-in-the-world, and the understanding of human behaviour; his conception of the self and its relation to other selves; and his views on society, politics, and the arts. A final chapter considers his later thought, published posthumously. The ideas of Merleau-Ponty are of immensely important to the development of modern French philosophy. Matthews evaluates his distinctive contributions and relates his thought to that of his predecessors, contemporaries, and successors, both in France and elsewhere. This unrivalled introduction will be welcomed by analytic philosophers and cognitive scientists as well as all students taking courses in contemporary continental philosophy.

Politics & Social Sciences

Philosophy

McGill-Queen's University Press

In this clear and comprehensive account of Merleau-Ponty's thought Eric Matthews shows how Merleau-Ponty has contributed to current debates in philosophy, such as the nature of consciousness, the relation between biology and personality, the historical understanding of human thought and society, and many others. Surveying the whole range of Merleau-Ponty's thinking, Matthews examines his views about the nature of phenomenology and the primacy of perception; his account of human embodiment, being-in-the-world, and the understanding of human behaviour; his conception of the self and its relation to other selves; and his views on society, politics, and the arts. A final chapter considers his later thought, published posthumously. The ideas of Merleau-Ponty are of immensely important to the development of modern French philosophy. Matthews evaluates his distinctive contributions and relates his thought to that of his predecessors, contemporaries, and successors, both in France and elsewhere. This unrivalled introduction will be welcomed by analytic philosophers and cognitive scientists as well as all students taking courses in contemporary continental philosophy.

Key Concepts in Philosophy is a series of concise, accessible and engaging introductions to the core ideas and subjects encountered in the study of philosophy. Specially written to meet the needs of students and those with an interest in, but little prior knowledge of, philosophy, these books open up fascinating, yet sometimes difficult ideas. The series builds to give a solid grounding in philosophy and each book is also ideal as a companion to further study. The philosophy of mind - inquiry into just what the mind is and the nature of its relationship to the body - is one of Western philosophy's focal points. This is a comprehensive, clear and authoritative guide to the subject's history, its key themes and concepts, and those philosophers who have most influenced it, aimed at students encountering the discipline for the first time. The text illustrates the importance of the concept of mind in defining what it is to be human; this unifies the discussion and analysis of specific topics. Having outlined the major traditional accounts of the nature of the mind in western philosophy, the book goes on to examine such important concepts as subjectivity, intentionality and behaviour. The book also explores how far the concept of mind can be extended to animals and machines, such as computers and robots. Philosophy undergraduates will find this an invaluable aid to study, one that goes beyond simple definitions and summaries to really open up fascinating and important ideas and arguments.

Mind (KEY CONCEPTS IN PHILOSOPHY)

Continuum Intl Pub Group

Key Concepts in Philosophy is a series of concise, accessible and engaging introductions to the core ideas and subjects encountered in the study of philosophy. Specially written to meet the needs of students and those with an interest in, but little prior knowledge of, philosophy, these books open up fascinating, yet sometimes difficult ideas. The series builds to give a solid grounding in philosophy and each book is also ideal as a companion to further study.
The philosophy of mind - inquiry into just what the mind is and the nature of its relationship to the body - is one of Western philosophy's focal points. This is a comprehensive, clear and authoritative guide to the subject's history, its key themes and concepts, and those philosophers who have most influenced it, aimed at students encountering the discipline for the first time.
The text illustrates the importance of the concept of mind in defining what it is to be human; this unifies the discussion and analysis of specific topics. Having outlined the major traditional accounts of the nature of the mind in western philosophy, the book goes on to examine such important concepts as subjectivity, intentionality and behaviour. The book also explores how far the concept of mind can be extended to animals and machines, such as computers and robots.
Philosophy undergraduates will find this an invaluable aid to study, one that goes beyond simple definitions and summaries to really open up fascinating and important ideas and arguments.

Mind: Key Concepts in Philosophy

Continuum

Maurice Merleau-Ponty was one of the most important figures in the existential and phenomenological traditions in twentieth-century Continental philosophy. Merleau-Ponty: A Guide for the Perplexed is the ideal text for students encountering Merleau-Ponty's philosophy for the first time. The book assumes no prior knowledge of the subject, and takes the reader though the key themes in Merleau-Ponty's work, casting light on complex ideas, including - crucially - his interpretations of 'perception', 'embodiment' and 'behaviour'. Most importantly this Guide for the Perplexed offers a full and authoritative explication of Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological account of human behaviour. Maurice Merleau-Ponty was one of the most important figures in the existential and phenomenological traditions in twentieth-century Continental philosophy. Merleau-Ponty: A Guide for the Perplexed is the ideal text for students encountering Merleau-Ponty's philosophy for the first time. The book assumes no prior knowledge of the subject, and takes the reader though the key themes in Merleau-Ponty's work, casting light on complex ideas, including - crucially - his interpretations of 'perception', 'embodiment' and 'behaviour'. Most importantly this Guide for the Perplexed offers a full and authoritative explication of Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological account of human behaviour.

Merleau-Ponty: A Guide for the Perplexed (Guides for the Perplexed)

Maurice Merleau-Ponty was one of the most important figures in the existential and phenomenological traditions in twentieth-century Continental philosophy. Merleau-Ponty: A Guide for the Perplexed is the ideal text for students encountering Merleau-Ponty's philosophy for the first time. The book assumes no prior knowledge of the subject, and takes the reader though the key themes in Merleau-Ponty's work, casting light on complex ideas, including - crucially - his interpretations of 'perception' 'embodiment' and 'behaviour' Most importantly this Guide for the Perplexed offers a full and authoritative explication of Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological account of human behaviour.

"Rationing Medical Care on the Basis of Age" explores this highly topical issue and presents a critical argument on the nature of the possible crisis. Its in-depth philosophical analysis of the main ethical positions adopts an interdisciplinary and international approach. This book is important reading for healthcare policy makers and shapers and healthcare managers. Academics in ethics, philosophy, economics, and all healthcare disciplines will find it useful, as will public health specialists, health economists, and social scientists with an interest in health and medicine.

Rationing Medical Care on the Basis of Age: The Moral Dimensions

Russell, Elizabeth

Administration & Medicine Economics

CRC-Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Matthews, Eric. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Matthews, Eric

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Matthews, Eric. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Twentieth-Century French Philosophy

Body-Subjects and Disordered Minds: Treating the 'Whole' Person in Psychiatry (International Perspectives in Philosophy and Psychiatry)

Body-Subjects and Disordered Minds: Treating the 'Whole' Person in Psychiatry (International Perspectives in Philosophy and Psychiatry)

The Philosophy of Merleau-Ponty (Volume 2) (Continental European Philosophy)

The Philosophy of Merleau-Ponty (Volume 2) (Continental European Philosophy)

Mind (KEY CONCEPTS IN PHILOSOPHY)

Mind: Key Concepts in Philosophy

Merleau-Ponty: A Guide for the Perplexed (Guides for the Perplexed)

Merleau-Ponty: A Guide for the Perplexed (Guides for the Perplexed)

Rationing Medical Care on the Basis of Age: The Moral Dimensions