Mind as metaphor

We often talk about the mind as an inner world. Once, this inner world was taken to be a strange, immaterial substance—a “ghost in the machine”, in Gilbert Ryle’s memorable phrase. Today, we are told it will be found in the brain.

Adam will argue that this is a mistake, and that the concept of mind is fundamentally metaphorical: we project the “outer world” of human culture onto the “inner world” of the mind. This inner world is a useful fiction: it does not exist—and yet we cannot avoid talking about it.

This in-person event will be particularly useful for those interested in theories of the mind, and of philosophy of education generally.

PESGB seminar series

This event is part of the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain (PESGB) seminar series. PESGB is a learned society that promotes the study, teaching and application of philosophy of education. Its London Branch hosts seminars every Wednesday in conjunction with the Centre for Philosophy of Education. These seminars are led by national and international scholars in the field, covering a wide range of issues of educational and philosophical concern.

All are welcome to attend.

Related links

• Department of Education, Practice and Society
• Centre for Philosophy of Education