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There is no denying that thinking comes naturally to human beings and that thinking is indeed central to what it means to be human. But what are thoughts? How does the brain billions of tiny neurons and synapses accomplish thought? In this compelling Very Short Introduction, Tim Bayne offers a compact but wide-ranging account of the nature of thought, drawing upon philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology. Bayne touches on a stimulating array of topics. Does thinking occur in public or is it a purely private affair? Do young children and non-human animals think? Is human thought the same everywhere, or are there culturally specific modes of thought? What is the relationship between thought and language? What kind of responsibility do we have for our thoughts? In what ways can the process of thinking go wrong? Beginning with questions about what thought is and what distinguishes it from other kinds of mental states, he explores the logical structures of thought as well as the mechanisms that make thought possible. In sum, this book provides an engaging survey of what we know and what we don't know about one of the most central of human capacities. Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, Literary Theory to History, and Archaeology to the Bible. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume in this series provides trenchant and provocative yet always balanced and complete discussions of the central issues in a given discipline or field. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how the subject has developed and how it has influenced society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering all students an accessible and abundant reference library. Whatever the area of study that one deems important or appealing, whatever the topic that fascinates the general reader, the Very Short Introductions series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable. Salient Features A lively and accessible introduction to the nature of thought Establishes the fundamental differences between thought and other mental states Explores and highlights our amazing capacity for thought Looks at the interaction between thought, rationality, and our concept of the abstract Part of the bestselling Very Short Introductions series About the Author Tim Bayne is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Manchester and has also taught at the University of Canterbury, Macquarie University, and the University of Oxford. His main interests are in the philosophy of psychology, with a particular focus on consciousness. Table of Contents 1. What is thought? 2. The mechanical mind 3. The inner sanctum 4. Of brutes and babes 5. 'They don't think like we do' 6. Thought gone wrong 7. The ethics of thought 8. The limits of thought