The Mind Doesn't Work That Way

The Scope and Limits of Computational Psychology

Jerry A. Fodor

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The Mind Doesn't Work That Way" by Jerry A. Fodor is a captivating exploration of how the mind functions. Fodor critically examines popular theories that propose the mind operates as a computer or follows simple algorithms. With razor-sharp analysis, he challenges the idea that the mind can be reduced to a set of computational processes.

In this thought-provoking book, Fodor argues that the mind's intricate operations cannot be adequately understood through computational models alone. He highlights the limitations of computational theories, revealing how they oversimplify complex cognitive processes such as language acquisition, perception, and problem-solving.

Fodor proposes an alternative hypothesis called the "modularity of mind," which suggests that the mind is composed of specialized cognitive modules that are responsible for specific tasks. He presents compelling evidence from various domains, including language, vision, and reasoning, to support his theory.

Throughout the book, Fodor engages with opposing viewpoints and offers insightful critiques of alternative theories, shedding light on the fundamental flaws of these approaches.

"The Mind Doesn't Work That Way" is a must-read for anyone interested in cognitive science, philosophy of mind, or psychology. Fodor's comprehensive analysis challenges conventional wisdom and seeks to redefine our understanding of how the mind truly operates.

Explore More Books

See All
Confessions of a Pricing Man
Kingpin
River Out of Eden
My American Journey
Behave
Take On The Street
Life 3.0
The Republic
Beyond Good and Evil
Kill Switch
King of Capital
Mindware
The Bitcoin Standard
The Rise And Fall Of American Growth
Systems Medicine
Saving Capitalism from Short Termism
Start With Why
Representing Talent
House On Fire
Made to Stick
Meaningful Work
Don't Make Me Think
The Power of Positive Thinking
The Unsettling of America
The Madness of Crowds
The Master and Margarita
The Body Keeps The Score
The Kill Chain
A History of the Mind
Getting Things Done
Wild Swans
Startup Playbook
Uncommon Measure
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Why Minsky Matters
Bad Therapy
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Trade Is Not A Four Letter Word
The Gift of Good Land
Leadership
The Copernican Revolution
Night Sky with Exit Wounds
Start-up Nation
It's Earnings That Count
Jurassic Park
That Will Never Work
Bravey
Electrify
A Man for All Markets
The Great Revolt
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The Real Crash
Atomic Habits
The Truth about Carbs
Striking Thoughts
Calm Your Mind with Food
Master Of The Game
Let Your Life Speak
How The Internet Happened
Acts of Love
The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive
Just Mercy
Dynasty
Radical Uncertainty
Mint Condition
Norwegian Wood
Beyond Religion
The Accidental Universe
The Psychology of Intelligence Analysis
Welcome to Your Brain
Andy Grove
Maisy Mouse Collection
How To Win Friends and Influence People
Quality Investing
A Shot To Save The World
The Great Book of Amber
The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem
Bloodlands
Apollo's Arrow
Conflicted
Deiter Rams
Being Nixon
The Book of Awakening
Future Babble
Charlie Munger
Zorba the Greek
Entangled Life
Marc's Mission
Intellectuals and Society
Lost Ocean
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World
Black Elk
The Botany of Desire
The Creature from Jekyll Island
Genome
A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things
Political Tribes
How Trump Is Making Black America Great Again
The Fiat Standard
Sex at Dawn