Explaining Imagination

Explaining Imagination is a guidebook that proposes to break down imagination into parts we already understand, such as beliefs, desires, judgments, and decisions, challenging the current orthodoxy that imagination is a sui generis mental state or process.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 28 December 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Explaining Imagination is a comprehensive guidebook that aims to unravel the enigmatic concept of imagination by dissecting it into constituent parts that we already possess and understand. The author proposes that imagination can be explained through the combination and context of various ordinary mental states such as beliefs, desires, judgments, and decisions. Contrary to the prevailing orthodoxy, which views imagination as a unique and inscrutable mental state or process, the author challenges this notion by demonstrating how the imaginings at work in hypothetical reasoning, pretense, the enjoyment of fiction, and creativity can be reduced to more familiar mental states such as judgments, beliefs, desires, and decisions.

This reductive approach to imagination offers a fresh perspective on the subject, challenging the current understanding of imagination and paving the way for a deeper comprehension. By traversing the domains of contemporary philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and aesthetics, Explaining Imagination provides a compelling argument that a clearer understanding of imagination is already within our grasp. The book offers a rich and nuanced exploration of imagination, shedding light on its various manifestations, functions, and implications. It provides a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human cognition and creativity.

In conclusion, Explaining Imagination is a groundbreaking work that offers a novel and insightful perspective on imagination. By breaking down the concept into its constituent parts and demonstrating how they can be explained through familiar mental states, the book provides a roadmap for understanding imagination and its role in human cognition and creativity. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the field and will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing discourse on the nature and essence of imagination.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 154 x 235 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198904380