Locke's Touchy Subjects

Materialism and Immortality

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Mind & Body, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book Locke's Touchy Subjects by Nicholas Jolley, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Nicholas Jolley ISBN: 9780191056888
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: April 30, 2015
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Nicholas Jolley
ISBN: 9780191056888
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: April 30, 2015
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

In seventeenth-century philosophy the mind-body problem and the nature of personal immortality were two of the most controversial and sensitive issues. Nicholas Jolley seeks to show that these issues are more prominent in Locke's philosophy than has been realized. He argues further that Locke takes up unorthodox positions in both cases. Although Locke's official stance on the mind-body problem is agnostic, in places he presents arguments that, taken together, amount to a significant case for a weak form of materialism. Locke also seeks to show that the solution to the mind-body problem is irrelevant to the issue of personal immortality: for Locke, such immortality is conceptually possible even if the same body is not resurrected at the Day of Judgment. Jolley throws new light on such central topics in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding as substance and personal identity: he also pays close attention to such neglected topics as his account of the status of animals and his polemic against the thesis that the mind always thinks. Throughout, the book examines Locke's arguments against the background of Descartes' views. Jolley argues that Locke's criticisms of Descartes are no mere defences of common sense against dogmatism; rather, they are controversial responses to some of the most challenging metaphysical and theological issues of his time.

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

In seventeenth-century philosophy the mind-body problem and the nature of personal immortality were two of the most controversial and sensitive issues. Nicholas Jolley seeks to show that these issues are more prominent in Locke's philosophy than has been realized. He argues further that Locke takes up unorthodox positions in both cases. Although Locke's official stance on the mind-body problem is agnostic, in places he presents arguments that, taken together, amount to a significant case for a weak form of materialism. Locke also seeks to show that the solution to the mind-body problem is irrelevant to the issue of personal immortality: for Locke, such immortality is conceptually possible even if the same body is not resurrected at the Day of Judgment. Jolley throws new light on such central topics in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding as substance and personal identity: he also pays close attention to such neglected topics as his account of the status of animals and his polemic against the thesis that the mind always thinks. Throughout, the book examines Locke's arguments against the background of Descartes' views. Jolley argues that Locke's criticisms of Descartes are no mere defences of common sense against dogmatism; rather, they are controversial responses to some of the most challenging metaphysical and theological issues of his time.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book The Mass Observers by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book Comparative Contract Law by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book Concentrate Questions and Answers Human Rights and Civil Liberties by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book Lateness and Modern European Literature by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book Left-of-Centre Parties and Trade Unions in the Twenty-First Century by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book The Ring of Words by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Seas by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book Sir Gawain and The Green Knight by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book Strategic Asset Allocation by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book Paradoxes of Peace in Nineteenth Century Europe by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book Jus Post Bellum by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book European Cross-Border Insolvency Law by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book Geophysics, Realism, and Industry by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book The Oxford Companion to British History by Nicholas Jolley
Cover of the book The Smile Revolution by Nicholas Jolley
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