The Sailing Mind

Sailing is a unique human-artifact interaction that can lead to unexplored research paths. It has fueled philosophical metaphors and inspired philosophers' views, and its ecology is highly constrained. This volume will appeal to philosophers of mind, cognitive psychologists, and marine professionals.

Format: Hardback
Length: 201 pages
Publication date: 02 June 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate world of sailing, exploring its profound connection to the philosophy of mind. Through the lens of sailing, a unique human-artifact interaction emerges, offering fertile grounds for groundbreaking research. The central idea behind this collection is that the exploration of this interaction by sailor scientists and philosophers can unlock new and exciting avenues for intellectual inquiry.

The field of sailing has not only provided fascinating theoretical breakthroughs but has also served as a rich source of philosophical metaphors. From the legendary Theseus ship to Plato's depiction of the intellect as the boatperson of the soul, sailing has inspired philosophers' views and ideas. During a stormy sea trip, even the renowned German philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte found himself captivated by the wonders of sailing, shaping his philosophical ideas in profound ways.

The ecology of sailing is a complex and demanding environment, characterized by the interaction between sailboats and the surface between a compressible fluid and an uncompressible fluid. Wind, a crucial factor in sailing, originates under specific circumstances, limiting the possible actions that sailors can take advantage of. Within this constrained ecology, only certain sequences of actions are possible, making sailing a highly skilled and strategic endeavor.

The ontology of sailing encompasses both the boat and the ocean/wind system. It highlights the remarkable complexity of sailboats as technological artifacts, particularly in light of the peculiar and demanding environment they navigate. Sailboats have been for centuries the most complex technological creations in the cultures that developed them, reflecting the unique challenges posed by the ocean and wind.

This volume appeals to philosophers of mind, cognitive psychologists, and marine professionals alike. It offers a deep and insightful exploration of the philosophical and cognitive dimensions of sailing, providing valuable insights into the nature of human cognition, perception, and the relationship between the human mind and the natural world. Whether you are a sailor, a philosopher, or simply someone interested in the wonders of human-technology interaction, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to broaden their horizons and explore the boundaries of knowledge.

Weight: 483g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030896386
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022