The Ghost in the Machine
The Ghost in the Machine by Arthur Koestler, published by Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated in 1989, is a thought-provoking exploration of the mind-body dualism concept. This edition spans 384 pages and is presented in English. The book draws on the philosophical ideas introduced by Gilbert Ryle in 1949, particularly critiquing traditional views of the mind and body through a series of metaphors and analogies.
Readers will find that Koestler engages with complex themes related to philosophy, psychology, and the nature of consciousness. He critiques Ryle’s perspectives while also delving into the implications of viewing the mind as separate from the body. The work invites contemplation on the intersections of literary expression and philosophical inquiry, making it a significant contribution to discussions surrounding the mind and body relationship.
Official synopsis Publisher
The phrase ‘the ghost in the machine’ was coined by Gilbert Ryle in his 1949 book The Concept of Mind, and was intended to point out the absurdity of traditional Cartesian mind-body dualism; presumably there was also an attempt to echo the phrase deus ex machina, or “god from the machine”, i.e. an artificial solution to a complex problem. Koestler, in writing The Ghost in the Machine in 1967, appropriated Ryle’s phrase, although he had a pretty low opinion of Ryle himself — he dismissed him as a ‘snickering’ Oxford don with no knowledge of any of the sciences that would have given his ideas more weight. Ryle nevertheless had the philosopher’s gift for analogy, and used a number of metaphors for the mind-body problem, all of which could have supplied titles: they included ‘the sealed signal box’, ‘the two parallel theatres’ and ‘the horse in the locomotive’.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “The Ghost in the Machine” about?
Who is the author of “The Ghost in the Machine”?
When was “The Ghost in the Machine” published?
What is the ISBN for “The Ghost in the Machine”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
