A Philosophy of Material Culture

Action, Function, and Mind

Nonfiction, Computers, Advanced Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book A Philosophy of Material Culture by Beth Preston, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Beth Preston ISBN: 9781135088705
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: January 17, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Beth Preston
ISBN: 9781135088705
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: January 17, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book focuses on material culture as a subject of philosophical inquiry and promotes the philosophical study of material culture by articulating some of the central and difficult issues raised by this topic and providing innovative solutions to them, most notably an account of improvised action and a non-intentionalist account of function in material culture.

Preston argues that material culture essentially involves activities of production and use; she therefore adopts an action-theoretic foundation for a philosophy of material culture. Part 1 illustrates this foundation through a critique, revision, and extension of existing philosophical theories of action. Part 2 investigates a salient feature of material culture itself—its functionality. A basic account of function in material culture is constructed by revising and extending existing theories of biological function to fit the cultural case. Here the adjustments are for the most part necessitated by special features of function in material culture.

These two parts of the project are held together by a trio of overarching themes: the relationship between individual and society, the problem of centralized control, and creativity.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book focuses on material culture as a subject of philosophical inquiry and promotes the philosophical study of material culture by articulating some of the central and difficult issues raised by this topic and providing innovative solutions to them, most notably an account of improvised action and a non-intentionalist account of function in material culture.

Preston argues that material culture essentially involves activities of production and use; she therefore adopts an action-theoretic foundation for a philosophy of material culture. Part 1 illustrates this foundation through a critique, revision, and extension of existing philosophical theories of action. Part 2 investigates a salient feature of material culture itself—its functionality. A basic account of function in material culture is constructed by revising and extending existing theories of biological function to fit the cultural case. Here the adjustments are for the most part necessitated by special features of function in material culture.

These two parts of the project are held together by a trio of overarching themes: the relationship between individual and society, the problem of centralized control, and creativity.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Metropolitan Transportation Planning by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Evaluating the Complex by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Liberalism and the British Empire in Southeast Asia by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Miraculous Growth and Stagnation in Post-War Japan by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Teaching Young Adults by Beth Preston
Cover of the book The Gates Foundation and the Future of US Public Schools by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Knowledge Matters by Beth Preston
Cover of the book You Bring Out the Music in Me by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Reformation and the Visual Arts by Beth Preston
Cover of the book An Introduction to Sociolinguistics by Beth Preston
Cover of the book The Essential Guide to the Internet for Health Professionals by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Becoming Miracle Workers by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Techniques of Event History Modeling by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Aspectual Grammar and Past Time Reference by Beth Preston
Cover of the book Three Ways of Thought in Ancient China by Beth Preston
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy