A Philosophy of Material Culture

Action, Function, and Mind

Nonfiction, Computers, Advanced Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book A Philosophy of Material Culture by Beth Preston, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Beth Preston ISBN: 9781135088705
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: January 17, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Beth Preston
ISBN: 9781135088705
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: January 17, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book focuses on material culture as a subject of philosophical inquiry and promotes the philosophical study of material culture by articulating some of the central and difficult issues raised by this topic and providing innovative solutions to them, most notably an account of improvised action and a non-intentionalist account of function in material culture.

Preston argues that material culture essentially involves activities of production and use; she therefore adopts an action-theoretic foundation for a philosophy of material culture. Part 1 illustrates this foundation through a critique, revision, and extension of existing philosophical theories of action. Part 2 investigates a salient feature of material culture itself—its functionality. A basic account of function in material culture is constructed by revising and extending existing theories of biological function to fit the cultural case. Here the adjustments are for the most part necessitated by special features of function in material culture.

These two parts of the project are held together by a trio of overarching themes: the relationship between individual and society, the problem of centralized control, and creativity.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book focuses on material culture as a subject of philosophical inquiry and promotes the philosophical study of material culture by articulating some of the central and difficult issues raised by this topic and providing innovative solutions to them, most notably an account of improvised action and a non-intentionalist account of function in material culture.

Preston argues that material culture essentially involves activities of production and use; she therefore adopts an action-theoretic foundation for a philosophy of material culture. Part 1 illustrates this foundation through a critique, revision, and extension of existing philosophical theories of action. Part 2 investigates a salient feature of material culture itself—its functionality. A basic account of function in material culture is constructed by revising and extending existing theories of biological function to fit the cultural case. Here the adjustments are for the most part necessitated by special features of function in material culture.

These two parts of the project are held together by a trio of overarching themes: the relationship between individual and society, the problem of centralized control, and creativity.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Development Tourism by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Evidence in Mental Health Care by Beth Preston
Cover of the book A Global History of Co-operative Business by Beth Preston
Cover of the book The Nation Looks at its Resources by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Irenaeus's Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Teaching Global Literature in Elementary Classrooms by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Essentials of Dyadic Interviewing by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Companion to Contemporary Economic Thought by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Inequality in America by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Greenfield on Educational Administration by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Ideal Homes? by Beth Preston
Cover of the book The UK’s Journeys into and out of the EU by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Le Corbusier's Venice Hospital Project by Beth Preston
Cover of the book History of the Maroons by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Handbook of Parenting by Beth Preston
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy