Ghost in the Machine

:Disambiguation: please visit Ghost in the Machine (disambiguation) for other uses of this term

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The Ghost in the Machine is British philosopher, Gilbert Ryle's derogatory description for Rene Descartes' mind-body dualism. The phrase was introduced in Ryle's book, The Concept of Mind, written in 1949. The phrase was meant by Ryle to emphasize that mental activity is of a different category from physical action, and that their means of interaction are unknown.

Related Topics:
Gilbert Ryle - Rene Descartes - Dualism - The Concept of Mind - 1949

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Much of the following material is from Arthur Koestler's discussion in his 1967 book which uses Ryle's phrase, The Ghost in the Machine as its title. The book's main focus is mankind's movement towards self-destruction, particularly in the nuclear arms arena. It is particularly critical of B. F. Skinner's behaviourist theory. One of the book's central concepts is that as the human brain has grown, it has built upon earlier more primitive brain structures, and that these are the "ghost in the machine" of the title. Koestler's theory is that at times these structures can overpower higher logical functions, and are responsible for hate, anger and other such destructive impulses.

Related Topics:
Arthur Koestler - 1967 - Nuclear arms - B. F. Skinner - Behaviourist theory - Logical - Hate - Anger

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