The Union of Mind and Body: The Ontology of Persons

FAIN: FA-11554-76

Douglas C. Long
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC 27599-1350)

To develop, in a book-length study, a theory of the ontology of person: that is neither substantially dualistic nor reductionistic. Such issues as the mind-body problem, the basis of personal identity, our knowledge of other minds and behaviorism, and the possibility of free will and the alleged conflict between causal and purposive accounts of human agency will be discussed. The study will provide a defense against various forms of philosophical scepticism by helping us to understand the special character of persons as subjects of experience and as responsible centers of agency.