The Whole Person

Towards a Naturalism of Persons presents the intricate realms of theory and philosophy surrounding minds and persons. This book unveils models that elucidate the emergent realization of multiple mental processes and the constitution of social persons. Each chapter meticulously explores the prevalent theoretical and philosophical assumptions that obstruct the acceptance of models depicting emergent realization, offering a profound analysis of these barriers, and demonstrating ways to dismantle them.

Rooted in the framework of process metaphysics, this book propounds metaphysically genuine emergence, paving the way for a comprehensive model of normative emergences. These normative emergences include phenomena like function-dysfunction, representational truth and falsity, rationality-irrationality, and others that intricately shape our mental landscape. The discourse extends to the culmination of mental processes in a model of reflective consciousness, shedding light on the intricate interplay of normativities within the realm of mentality. Moreover, this book extends its exploration to the foundational role of mental processes in the emergence of social realities and persons, with language acting as a core element in these emergences. Addressing evolutionary aspects, brain processes, developmental processes, moral normativities, and self-consistency concerns,

Towards a Naturalism of Persons presents a holistic integration and further development of decades of constructive work, supported by a rich background of over 200 articles, chapters, books, and talks, along with conferences focused on the overarching model and its progression.