Hume and the Debate on Motivating Reasons

Uncorrected proof

Please do not quote from proofs.  Final version forthcoming in (ed. Charles Pigden), Hume on Motivation and Virtue (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009)

Dretske on the Causation of Behavior

Behavior and Philosophy, 36, 71-85 (2008). Reprinted in May 2009 annual.

In two recent articles and his earlier book Fred Dretske appeals to a distinction between triggering and structuring causes with the aim of establishing that psychological explanations of behavior differ from non-psychological ones. He concludes that intentional human behavior is triggered by electro-chemical events but structured by representational facts. In this paper I argue that although this underrated position is far more persuasive and sophisticated than the standard Davidsonian alternative, Dretske’s account fails to provide us with a coherent analysis of intentional action and its explanation.

Gods and Mental States: The Causation of Action in Ancient Tragedy and Modern Philosophy of Mind

Uncorrected pre-proofs.

Please do not quote from proofs. For final version see New Essays on The Explanation of Action (ed. C. Sandis), Palgrave Macmillan, 2009, pp.358-385

The Explanation of Action in History

Essays in Philosophy, Vol. 7, No. 2, June 2006

In Defence of Four Socratic Doctrines

Uncorrected pre-proof.

Please do not quote from proofs.

For final version (including replies by John Shand and James Warren) see Think, Spring/summer 2008,pp. 85-98

Contextualist Vs. Analytic History of Philosophy

'Think', vol.20 Summer 2009, pp.101-105 (uncorrected proofs)

A response to replies (to 'In Defence of Four Socratic Doctrines') by James Warren and John Shand.

In Conversation with Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Pre-Proof. (with Nassim Nicholas Taleb)

Please don't quote from proofs.

For final version see 'Philosophy Now', Sep/Oct 2008 p24ff.

Dancy Cartwright: Particularism in the Philosophy of Science

Acta Analytica, Volume 21: 2, Issue 39 (May) 2006.

Hitchcock's Conscious Use of Freud's Unconscious

Europe's Journal of Psychology, August 2009

This paper explores Alfred Hitchcock’s use of Freudian psychoanalysis in a number of his films, with particular emphasis on Spellbound (1945), Psycho (1960), and Marnie (1964). I argue that the films (and related primary source material) demonstrate that Hitchcock was largely unconvinced of the validity of psychoanalytic theory and practice which he frequently mocked, both on-screen and off. Nonetheless, he greatly appreciated the magnetism of the psychoanalytic process and general charm of Freud’s conceptual world. It is for this reason that he kept returning to Freudian aesthetics throughout his cinematic career. Indeed, understanding how Hitch came to master this love/hate relationship is the key to understanding when and why the films succeed, as well as where and how they fail. The paper ends with an analogy between Hitchcock’s attitude to Freud and that of Ludwig Wittgenstein with the further aim of evaluating some of Freud’s most significant ideas.

How to Act Against Your Better Judgement

Philosophical Frontiers 3.2 (2008). Reprinted in commemorative book (2009)

An ancient paper...

Two Tales of One City: Cultural Understanding and the Parthenon Scupltures

Museum Management and Curatorship, Vol. 23, No. 1, March 2008,5-21

Comments by Ford. W. Bell, Neil G.W. Curtis, B.L. Murphy, and Anthony M. Snodgrass.

Followed by by reply: "universal museums and the Parthenon sculptures"

The New Acropolis Museum

Audible Lessons in Self

Trying to make sense of the Dalai Lama's version of Budhism

Hume on Necessary Connexions

This is a VERY early draft!

When did the Killing Occur?: Donald Davidson on Action Individuation

Δαι´μων. Revista de Filosofía, nº 37, 2006, 179-183

Review of "I am a Strange Loop" by Douglas R. Hofstadter

Pre-Proof.

Please do not quote from proofs.

For final version see Times Higher Education Supplement,25 May, 2007.

Review of 'The Inner Touch: Archeology of a Sensation' by Daniel Heller-Roazen

Pre-Proof.

Please do not quote from proofs.

For final version see Times Higher, Nov 2, 2007.

Bad Arguments: They Live Amongst Us!

Pre-proof.

Please do not quote from proofs.

Final version printed in Dialogue, Issue 29, November 2007..