Self-Deception

<p>Self-deception poses longstanding and fascinating paradoxes. Philosophers have questioned whether and how self-deception is even possible; evolutionary theorists have debated whether it is adaptive. For Sigmund Freud self-deception was a fundamental key to understanding the unconscious and from <i>The Bible</i> to <i>The Great Gatsby</i> literature abounds with characters renowned for their self-deception. But what exactly is self-deception? Why is it so puzzling? How is it performed? And is it harmful?</p><p>In this thorough and clearly written introduction to the philosophy and psychology of self-deception Eric Funkhouser examines and assesses these questions and more:</p><ul> <p> </p> <li>Clarification of the conceptual background and Basic problem of self-deception including Freud and Davidson and the important debate between intentionalists and motivationalists </li> <li>Deflationary accounts that appeal to cognitive and motivational biases with emphasis on how motives and emotions drive self-deception </li> <li>Intentional self-deception and the divided mind including the role of the unconscious in recent psychological research </li> <li>Challenges that self-deception poses for philosophy of mind and psychology especially for our understanding of intention belief and deception</li> <li>Biology and moral psychology of self-deception: Is self-deception functional or beneficial? Are the self-deceived to be held accountable?</li> </ul><p>Combining philosophical analysis with the latest psychological research and including features such as chapter summaries annotated recommended reading and a glossary <i>Self-Deception</i> is an excellent resource for students of philosophy of mind and psychology moral psychology and ethics as well as those in related fields such as psychology and cognitive science.</p>