A Fine Mess

Positive Psychology is a theoretical mess. For example, it has no consensus definition. Most scientific disciplines can be characterized in terms of identifiable categories in nature that are their objects of study. Cytology is the study of cells. Kinematics is a branch of mechanics that studies motion. The way experts characterize …

R – E – S – P – E – C – T

To investigate the nature of well-being, let’s start with the basic respect assumption: Most people with a concept of well-being are generally successful in talking about and identifying instances of well-being. The basic respect assumption isn’t very bold. We can talk about well-being even if we’re quite mistaken about what …

The Myth of the Great Divide

Science is descriptive. It tells us what is the case. All matters normative are found within the confines of philosophy. The human sciences can tell us about the content and evolution of our moral practices. But only philosophy can tell us what our moral practices should be. Psychology can tell us …

Introductory Stuff: Michael Bishop

I’m Mike Bishop. I teach philosophy at Florida State University. And I thank the editors for inviting me to cause trouble here at The Brains Blog by writing about The Good Life: Unifying the Philosophy & Psychology of Well-Being (Oxford University Press, 2015). TGL tells a story: Once upon a time, Philosophy …

Paris Workshop on sensorimotor approach to Consciousness in July 2015

On July 4th and 5th 2015, just before the ASSC conference on Consciousness in Paris, we are organizing a workshop to discuss advances in the sensorimotor approach. All are welcome! See here for the call for papers: https://lpp.psycho.univ-paris5.fr/feel/?page_id=691

Call for Abstracts: Workshop on Minimal Mindreading, University of Magdeburg, November 6-8, 2014

Classical explanations of social cognition assume that complex social interaction involves social understanding and that social understanding in turn depends on the ability to read others’ minds, i.e. on the ability to attribute mental states, such as beliefs and desires, to others for the purposes of predicting and explaining their …

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