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Mindprints: Thoreau's Material Worlds
by Ivan GaskellA rediscovery of Thoreau’s interactions with everyday objects and how they shaped his thought. Though we may associate Henry David Thoreau with ascetic renunciation, he accumulated a variety of tools, art, and natural specimens throughout his life as a homebuilder, surveyor, and collector. In some of these objects, particularly Indigenous artifacts, Thoreau perceived the presence of their original makers, and he called such objects “mindprints.” Thoreau believed that these collections could teach him how his experience, his world, fit into the wider, more diverse (even incoherent) assemblage of other worlds created and re-created by other beings every day. In this book, Ivan Gaskell explores how a profound environmental aesthetics developed from this insight and shaped Thoreau’s broader thought.
Mindreading and Social Cognition (Elements in Philosophy of Mind)
by Jane Suilin LavelleThe cognitive ability to think about other people's psychological states is known as `mindreading'. This Element critiques assumptions that have been formative in shaping philosophical theories of mindreading: that mindreading is ubiquitous, underpinning the vast majority of our social interactions; and that its primary goal is to provide predictions and explanations of other people's behaviour. It begins with an overview of key positions and empirical literature in the debate. It then introduces and motivates the pluralist turn in this literature, which challenges the core assumptions of the traditional views. The second part of the Element uses case studies to further motivate the pluralist framework, and to advocate the pluralist approach as the best way to progress our understanding of social cognitive phenomena.
Minds and Bodies: An Introduction with Readings (Philosophy and the Human Situation)
by Robert WilkinsonMinds and Bodies is a clear introduction to the mind-body problem. It requires no prior philosophical knowledge and is ideally suited to newcomers to philosophy and philosophy of mind. Robert Wilkinson carefully introduces the fundamental components of the philosophy of mind: Descartes's dualist account of mind and body; monist views including eliminativism; computer science and artificial intelligence. Each chapter is linked to a reading from key thinkers in the field, from Descartes to Paul Churchland.
Minds, Brains And Science
by John SearleMinds, Brains and Science takes up just the problems that perplex people, and it does what good philosophy always does: it dispels the illusion caused by the specious collision of truths. How do we reconcile common sense and science? John Searle argues vigorously that the truths of common sense and the truths of science are both right and that the only question is how to fit them together. <p><p> Searle explains how we can reconcile an intuitive view of ourselves as conscious, free, rational agents with a universe that science tells us consists of mindless physical particles. He briskly and lucidly sets out his arguments against the familiar positions in the philosophy of mind, and details the consequences of his ideas for the mind-body problem, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, questions of action and free will, and the philosophy of the social sciences.
The Mind's Machine: Foundations of Brain and Behavior
by Neil V. Watson S. Marc BreedloveThe book introduces us to the basics of behavioral neuroscience in a way that focuses on the foundational topics in the field.
Minds without Meanings: An Essay on the Content of Concepts (The\mit Press Ser.)
by Jerry A. Fodor Zenon W. PylyshynTwo prominent thinkers argue for the possibility of a theory of concepts that takes reference to be concepts' sole semantic property.In cognitive science, conceptual content is frequently understood as the “meaning” of a mental representation. This position raises largely empirical questions about what concepts are, what form they take in mental processes, and how they connect to the world they are about. In Minds without Meaning, Jerry Fodor and Zenon Pylyshyn review some of the proposals put forward to answer these questions and find that none of them is remotely defensible.Fodor and Pylyshyn determine that all of these proposals share a commitment to a two-factor theory of conceptual content, which holds that the content of a concept consists of its sense together with its reference. Fodor and Pylyshyn argue instead that there is no conclusive case against the possibility of a theory of concepts that takes reference as their sole semantic property. Such a theory, if correct, would provide for the naturalistic account of content that cognitive science lacks—and badly needs. Fodor and Pylyshyn offer a sketch of how this theory might be developed into an account of perceptual reference that is broadly compatible with empirical findings and with the view that the mental processes effecting perceptual reference are largely preconceptual, modular, and encapsulated.
MindScience
by Daniel Goleman Herbert Benson Robert Thurman His Holiness the Dalai Lama Howard GardnerWhat is the subtle relationship between mind and body? What can today's scientists learn about this relationship from masters of Buddhist thought? Is it possible that by combining Western and Eastern approaches, we can reach a new understanding of the nature of the mind, the human potential for growth, the possibilities for mental and physical health? MindScience explores these and other questions as it documents the beginning of a historic dialogue between modern science and Buddhism. The Harvard Mind Science Symposium brought together the Dalai Lama and authorities from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, and education. Here, they examine myriad questions concerning the nature of the mind and its relationship to the body.
MindScience: An East-West Dialogue
by Daniel Goleman Robert Thurman Dalai LamaExploration of mind/body concepts based on a Harvard Medical School symposium.
Mindshaping: A New Framework for Understanding Human Social Cognition
by Tadeusz Wieslaw ZawidzkiA proposal that human social cognition would not have evolved without mechanisms and practices that shape minds in ways that make them easier to interpret. In this novel account of distinctively human social cognition, Tadeusz Zawidzki argues that the key distinction between human and nonhuman social cognition consists in our complex, diverse, and flexible capacities to shape each other's minds in ways that make them easier to interpret. Zawidzki proposes that such "mindshaping"—which takes the form of capacities and practices such as sophisticated imitation, pedagogy, conformity to norms, and narrative self-constitution—is the most important component of human social cognition. Without it, he argues, none of the other components of what he terms the "human sociocognitive syndrome," including sophisticated language, cooperation, and sophisticated "mindreading," would be possible. Challenging the dominant view that sophisticated mindreading—especially propositional attitude attribution—is the key evolutionary innovation behind distinctively human social cognition, Zawidzki contends that the capacity to attribute such mental states depends on the evolution of mindshaping practices. Propositional attitude attribution, he argues, is likely to be unreliable unless most of us are shaped to have similar kinds of propositional attitudes in similar circumstances. Motivations to mindshape, selected to make sophisticated cooperation possible, combine with low-level mindreading abilities that we share with nonhuman species to make it easier for humans to interpret and anticipate each other's behavior. Eventually, this led, in human prehistory, to the capacity to attribute full-blown propositional attitudes accurately—a capacity that is parasitic, in phylogeny and today, on prior capacities to shape minds.Bringing together findings from developmental psychology, comparative psychology, evolutionary psychology, and philosophy of psychology, Zawidzki offers a strikingly original framework for understanding human social cognition.
Mindshaping
by Tadeusz Wieslaw ZawidzkiIn this novel account of distinctively human social cognition, Tadeusz Zawidzkiargues that the key distinction between human and nonhuman social cognition consists in our complex,diverse, and flexible capacities to shape each other's minds in ways that make them easier to interpret. Zawidzki proposes that such "mindshaping" -- which takes the form of capacities and practices such as sophisticated imitation, pedagogy, conformity to norms, and narrative self-constitution -- is the most important component of human social cognition. Without it, heargues, none of the other components of what he terms the "human sociocognitive syndrome," including sophisticated language, cooperation, and sophisticated "mind reading," would be possible. Challenging the dominant view that sophisticated mind reading -- especially propositional attitude attribution -- is the key evolutionary innovation behind distinctively human social cognition, Zawidzki contends that the capacity to attribute such mental states depends on the evolution of mindshaping practices. Propositional attitude attribution, he argues, is likely to be unreliable unless most of us are shaped to have similar kinds of propositional attitudes in similar circumstances. Motivations to mindshape, selected to make sophisticated cooperation possible,combine with low-level mind reading abilities that we share with nonhuman species to make it easier for humans to interpret and anticipate each other's behavior. Eventually, this led, in human prehistory, to the capacity to attribute full-blown propositional attitudes accurately -- a capacity that is parasitic, in phylogeny and today, on prior capacities to shape minds. Bringing together findings from developmental psychology, comparative psychology, evolutionary psychology, and philosophy of psychology, Zawidzki offers a strikingly original framework for understanding human social cognition.
Mindsight: Image, Dream, Meaning
by Colin McGinnHow to imagine the imagination is a topic that draws philosophers the way flowers draw honeybees. From Plato and Aristotle to Wittgenstein and Sartre, philosophers have talked and written about this most elusive of topics--that is, until contemporary analytic philosophy of mind developed. Perhaps it is the vast range of the topic that has scared off our contemporaries, ranging as it does from mental images to daydreams. The guiding thread of this book is the distinction Colin McGinn draws between perception and imagination. Clearly, seeing an object is similar in certain respects to forming a mental image of it, but it is also different. McGinn shows what the differences are, arguing that imagination is a sui generis mental faculty. He goes on to discuss the nature of dreaming and madness, contending that these are primarily imaginative phenomena. In the second half of the book McGinn focuses on what he calls cognitive (as opposed to sensory) imagination, and investigates the role of imagination in logical reasoning, belief formation, the understanding of negation and possibility, and the comprehension of meaning. His overall claim is that imagination pervades our mental life, obeys its own distinctive principles, and merits much more attention.
Mindsight: Near-Death and Out-of-Body Experiences in the Blind
by Kenneth Ring Sharon Cooper<P>Ring and Cooper explore evidence that even those blind from birth can "see" during near-death experiences. Their evidence reveals a unique type of perception. More than just "seeing", it involves a deep awareness and profound ability to know that the authors have called "Mindsight". <P>This volume is a ground-breaking work in the field of near-death studies. It investigates the astonishing claim that blind persons, including those blind from birth, can actually "see" during near-death or out-of-body episodes. The authors present their findings in scrupulous detail, investigating case histories of blind persons who have actually reported visual experiences under these conditions.
Mindsight
by Daniel J. SiegelForeword by Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence.This groundbreaking book, from one of the global innovators in the integration of brain science with psychotherapy, offers an extraordinary guide to the practice of "mindsight," the potent skill that is the basis for both emotional and social intelligence. From anxiety to depression and feelings of shame and inadequacy, from mood swings to addictions, OCD, and traumatic memories, most of us have a mental "trap" that causes recurring conflict in our lives and relationships. Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and co-director of the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center, shows us how to use mindsight to escape these traps. Through his synthesis of a broad range of scientific research with applications to everyday life, Dr. Siegel has developed novel approaches that have helped hundreds of patients free themselves from obstacles blocking their happiness. By cultivating mindsight, all of us can effect positive, lasting changes in our brains--and our lives. A book as inspiring as it is profound, Mindsight can help us master our emotions, heal our relationships, and reach our fullest potential.
The Mindspan Diet: Reduce Alzheimer's Risk, Minimize Memory Loss, and Keep Your Brain Young
by Preston EstepFrom an esteemed geneticist and the director of gerontology at the Personal Genome Project at Harvard Medical School comes a revolutionary plan for curbing memory loss and improving cognitive longevity that will forever change how you think about diet and aging. All around the world people are living longer than ever, but record numbers of us are experiencing cognitive decline and other brain disorders later in life. New studies show that Alzheimer's disease is the number three cause of death in developed countries, behind heart disease and cancer. But there is good news: We now have the knowledge to extend both lifespan and mindspan, helping to ensure that our minds and bodies stay in peak form at any age. Studying the diets of the "Mindspan Elite"--those populations that live longest with low levels of dementia--as well as the ways that certain food additives and ingredients interact with our genes, Dr. Preston Estep explains how the recent slew of popular brains-and-aging books have steered us down the wrong dietary path. Shattering myths about which foods are (and are not) beneficial to our brains, The Mindspan Diet reveals a simple plan to slow cognitive decline. Startling in its revelations about healthy eating for those over the age of forty, it challenges us to rethink our approach to many common staples, including: * Iron: While iron-fortified foods sound healthy, high iron intake can be toxic, especially for people over forty, and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease. * Whole grains: Processed grains such as white rice, pasta, and flour are actually staples in the diets of cultures with the best cognitive health. * Protein: Though it's considered by some to be a miracle macronutrient, high levels of protein are actually hard on the kidneys, and may promote cancer and accelerate the progression of dementia. Complete with food recommendations, shopping lists, advice on reading nutrition labels, and more than seventy delicious recipes, The Mindspan Diet shows that you can enjoy the richest flavors life has to offer and remain lean, healthy, and cognitively intact for a very long life.
Mindstorms: The Complete Guide for Families Living with Traumatic Brain Injury
by Lee Woodruff John W. CassidyIf your loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI), you know that its effects can be devastating and often difficult to understand It may feel as if your world has shifted on its axis, and you'll never get your bearings. Navigating your way through the morass of doctors, medical terms, and the healthcare system can be daunting, especially when you want only what's best for the person you love. Dr. John Cassidy has devoted the past twenty-five years to helping families cope with traumatic brain injury; Mindstorms is his compassionate, comprehensive manual to demystifying this often frightening and life-changing condition.More than 6.3 million Americans live with a severe disability caused by a traumatic brain injury. In fact, because it's so commonplace, but little talked of, TBI is often referred to as the "silent epidemic." In these pages, Dr. Cassidy walks you through the different types of brain injury; explodes the common myths surrounding it; demonstrates the ways in which TBI may affect memory, behavior, and social interaction; explores the newest options in treatment and rehabilitation; and shows you how to hold on to your own sense of self as you journey through. Along with the practical information you'll need, Mindstorms offers a constellation of instructive, moving stories from families and patients who are slowly, but surely, finding their way back. Their experiences are sure to inspire you and yours.
Mindvaults: Sociocultural Grounds for Pretending and Imagining (The\mit Press Ser.)
by Radu J. BogdanAn argument that the uniquely human capacities of pretending and imagining develop in response to sociocultural and sociopolitical pressures in childhood.The human mind has the capacity to vault over the realm of current perception, motivation, emotion, and action, to leap—consciously and deliberately—to past or future, possible or impossible, abstract or concrete scenarios and situations. In this book, Radu Bogdan examines the roots of this uniquely human ability, which he terms "mindvaulting." He focuses particularly on the capacities of pretending and imagining, which he identifies as the first forms of mindvaulting to develop in childhood. Pretending and imagining, Bogdan argues, are crucial steps on the ontogenetic staircase to the intellect.Bogdan finds that pretending and then imagining develop from a variety of sources for reasons that are specific and unique to human childhood. He argues that these capacities arise as responses to sociocultural and sociopolitical pressures that emerge at different stages of childhood. Bogdan argues that some of the properties of mindvaulting—including domain versatility and nonmodularity—resist standard evolutionary explanations. To resolve this puzzle, Bogdan reorients the evolutionary analysis toward human ontogeny, construed as a genuine space of evolution with specific pressures and adaptive responses. Bogdan finds that pretending is an ontogenetic response to sociocultural challenges in early childhood, a pre-adaptation for imagining; after age four, the adaptive response to cooperative and competitive sociopolitical pressures is a competence for mental strategizing that morphs into imagining.
Mindvaults: Sociocultural Grounds for Pretending and Imagining
by Radu J. BogdanThe human mind has the capacity to vault over the realm of current perception,motivation, emotion, and action, to leap -- consciously and deliberately -- to past or future,possible or impossible, abstract or concrete scenarios and situations. In this book, Radu Bogdanexamines the roots of this uniquely human ability, which he terms "mindvaulting. " He focusesparticularly on the capacities of pretending and imagining, which he identifies as the first formsof mindvaulting to develop in childhood. Pretending and imagining, Bogdan argues, are crucial stepson the ontogenetic staircase to the intellect. Bogdan finds that pretending and then imaginingdevelop from a variety of sources for reasons that are specific and unique to human childhood. Heargues that these capacities arise as responses to sociocultural and sociopolitical pressures thatemerge at different stages of childhood. Bogdan argues that some of the properties of mindvaulting-- including domain versatility and nonmodularity -- resist standard evolutionary explanations. Toresolve this puzzle, Bogdan reorients the evolutionary analysis toward human ontogeny, construed asa genuine space of evolution with specific pressures and adaptive responses. Bogdan finds thatpretending is an ontogenetic response to sociocultural challenges in early childhood, apre-adaptation for imagining; after age four, the adaptive response to cooperative and competitivesociopolitical pressures is a competence for mental strategizing that morphs intoimagining.
The Mineral and the Visual: Precious Stones in Medieval Secular Culture
by Brigitte BuettnerOpulent jeweled objects ranked among the most highly valued works of art in the European Middle Ages. At the same time, precious stones prompted sophisticated reflections on the power of nature and the experience of mineralized beings. Beyond a visual regime that put a premium on brilliant materiality, how can we account for the ubiquity of gems in medieval thought?In The Mineral and the Visual, art historian Brigitte Buettner examines the social roles, cultural meanings, and active agency of precious stones in secular medieval art. Exploring the layered roles played by gems in aesthetic, ideological, intellectual, and economic practices, Buettner focuses on three significant categories of art: the jeweled crown, the pictorialized lapidary, and the illustrated travel account. The global gem trade brought coveted jewels from the Indies to goldsmiths’ workshops in Paris, fashionable bodies in London, and the crowns of kings across Europe, and Buettner shows that Europe’s literal and metaphorical enrichment was predicated on the importation of gems and ideas from Byzantium, the Islamic world, Persia, and India.Original, transhistorical, and cross-disciplinary, The Mineral and the Visual engages important methodological questions about the work of culture in its material dimension. It will be especially useful to scholars and students interested in medieval art history, material culture, and medieval history.
Minfulness: Técnicas Prácticas para Mejorar la Salud Mental y Física
by Erin B. WilsonEl verdadero objetivo de la meditación, para poder traer relajación, es el estar consciente. De eso es de lo que se trata la meditación minfulness y es lo que aprenderás de este libro. sin embargo, las técnicas de mindfulness van más allá de sólo meditar. En éste libro aprenderás: •- De qué trata la meditación mindfulness •- La diferencia entre mindfulness y meditación •- Cómo meditar para una consciencia mindful •- Prácticas mindful que te benefician mental, física y socialmente •- Diferencias entre acercamientos tradicionales orientales y modernos occidentales •- Practicar cada día los consejos para entrenarte en mindfulness •- Y mucho más.. Antes de ver cómo el midfulness puede ayudarte, es importante detenerse y entender que es el mindfulness. quiero decir, probablemente has escuchado mucho sobre ello, pero ¿realmente sabes qué es? Si no sabes qué es ¿Cómo esperas saber si lograste?
The Mini ADHD Coach: Tools and Support to Make Life Easier—A Visual Guide
by Alice GendronAn inclusive guide to ADHD that explores its diverse types, symptoms, diagnoses, and misconceptions, and shares how to work with your ADHD brain to fully understand yourself.Diagnosed at 29, Alice Gendron offers full and supportive insight into life with ADHD, addresses common challenges and hurdles, and provides tips and ADHD hacks that will help you to get things done and live a more peaceful daily life. This illustrated and informative guide is a must-have for anyone looking to better understand ADHD and how to thrive with ADHD. Through Gendron’s motivational voice and relatable illustrations, The Mini ADHD Coach will teach you: How to emotionally process your ADHD diagnosis.How ADHD can impact your daily life, from getting your morning started to time management, dating, making dinner, and more.What ADHD expressions, such as analysis paralysis, hyperfocus, and time blindness, really mean.ADHD hacks like habit-stacking and gamification to try out and find the solutions that fit your life. The Mini ADHD Coach is the perfect resource for flourishing with ADHD.FIRST TRULY ACCESSIBLE SELF-HELP BOOK FOR ADHD READERS: While there are many books about ADHD, this is a unique graphic approach that explores ADHD from daily challenges and how to overcome them to a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know. This book offers a great resource for readers of all ages with its accessible illustrations and thorough content, which is timely and essential given the increase of diagnoses of ADHD in children and women around the world.POPULAR EXPERT AUTHOR: Alice Gendron’s style and approach have struck a chord internationally, with a rapidly growing audience of nearly a half-million social media followers—including a strong following across her foreign-language accounts in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Japanese. Her growing website (theminiadhdcoach.com) has thousands of monthly visitors from across North America.A VITAL ADDITION TO ADHD BOOKSHELVES: For anyone diagnosed with or supporting family or friends with ADHD, this is a practical and informative guide to read along with such ADHD books for adults as Neurotribes, Invisible Women, Women with ADHD, The End of Average, Unwell Women, Divergent Mind, Your Brain’s Not Broken, Mother Brain, Still Distracted After All These Years, Taking Charge of ADHD, Taking Charge of Adult ADHD, Hyperbole and a Half, Solutions and Other Problems, and Am I There Yet?Perfect for:Readers age 15+ with ADHD or those who believe they may have ADHD and are looking for better understanding and a diagnosisParents looking for guidance for their children with ADHDAnyone interested in learning more about ADHD or how to support their friends/family with ADHDFans of informative graphic nonfiction titlesTeachers seeking tools to support students with ADHDFans of Alice Gendron and @the_mini_adhd_coach
The Mini-Fast Diet: Burn Fat Faster Than Ever with the Simple Science of Intermittent Fasting
by Peggy Dace Julian WhitakerIn this breakthrough plan by a renowned wellness doctor, one simple lifestyle change can help reverse metabolic syndrome, drop pounds, and lower insulin levels and blood pressure. The magic secret? A clinically proven, research-backed mini-fast that drives the body into an extreme fat-burning state called ketosis. Just skip breakfast, then add a simple exercise program to burn even more fat. After the mini-fast, eat normally for the rest of the day, focusing on proper portions of lean protein, vegetables, and low-fat, low-glycemic carbs. No counting calories—and no hunger. Readers will learn everything they need to follow this expertly designed program, plus: • How to kickstart and stay in ketosis • A 2-week sample meal plan with more than 50 easy, delicious recipes • Advice on safe, effective exercise habits, plus an illustrated guide to the fitness plan • Success stories from people who have changed their lives with the diet • Science on how the program helps fight or prevent diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and more
Mini Habits for Teens: Small Changes to Help You Navigate Life's Challenges
by Kate GladdinSmall steps to help teens build a foundation for success There's no action too small when it comes to creating better habits. For teens looking to boost their grades, make a new friend, or save money for something special, forming healthy habits is the key to success both right now and in the future. Mini Habits for Teens shows them how to build good habits that stick, with easy advice for practicing little, everyday changes that help them work toward their goals one step at a time. What is a habit?—Learn the science behind what mini habits are and the three steps for turning positive behavior into something that's easy to do consistently. Home, school, and beyond—Discover how different habits can affect all areas of life, including health, relationships, social skills, and academic achievement. How habits can help—Experience the ways that mini habits like a regular sleep schedule or an organized studying style can make every day feel easier and more rewarding. Develop the little skills that create a sense of confidence and achievement with Mini Habits for Teens.
Mini Rice Cooker Cookbook
by Lynda BalslevDiscover how to cook breakfast, soups & stews, salads & bowls, entrées, and desserts with this collection of recipes for your mini rice cooker.Looking for a fast dinner, dessert, or a tasty snack, the Mini Rice Cooker Cookbook has something for you. Forget your Crock-Pot, the bright-colored mini rice cooker is your new easy-to-use, easy-to-cook solution for everything from eggs to pad thai to chocolate cake.The perfect complement to your new appliance, the Mini Rice Cooker Cookbook has fresh ideas for every occasion, from breakfast to dessert. A mini rice cooker is perfect for cramped college dorms, small apartments, even RVs. You don’t need extra kitchen tools like pots and pans for these recipes. Offering vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free variations, the recipes in this cookbook are sure to stretch your imagination for what a rice cooker can do. Recipes include pasta, soup, stew, beans, grains, cakes, breads, and more.
Minidictionary for Nurses (5th edition)
by Tanya A. Mcferran Elizabeth A. MartinThe fifth edition of this best-selling and trusted dictionary has been fully updated and revised to take account of recent developments in nursing practice and related fields. Updates cover the fields of surgical techniques, paediatrics, gynaecology, nephrology, endocrinology, and ENT, as well as the latest reorganization of the National Health Service. Fully revised, this dictionary provides comprehensive coverage of the ever-expanding vocabulary of the nursing professions. In addition to specifically nursing terms, there are many entries in the fields of medicine, anatomy, physiology, psychiatry, nutrition, and pharmacology (including new drugs recently introduced into medical practice). Over 10,100 clear and concise entries, all written by medical and nursing specialists, cover the theory and practice of nursing. 100 helpful illustrations and 12 appendices covering nutritional requirements, normal values for biochemical and haematological data, standard values for body weight, and much more, make this an invaluable reference tool for all nursing students and professionals.
Minimal Cooperation and Shared Agency (Studies in the Philosophy of Sociality #11)
by Anika FiebichThis volume examines minimality in cooperation and shared agency from various angles. It features essays written by top scholars in the philosophy of mind and action. Taken together, the essays provide a genuine contribution to the contemporary joint action debate.The main accounts in this debate present sufficient rather than necessary or minimal criteria for there to be cooperation. Much discussion in the debate deals with robust rather than more attenuate and simple cases of cooperation or shared agency. Focusing on such minimal cases, however, may help to explain how cooperation comes into existence and how minimal cooperation interrelates with more complex cases of cooperation. The contributors discuss minimality in cooperation by focusing on particular aspects. For example, they consider how social roles might deliver minimal cooperation constraints or what the minimal contextual criteria are for cooperation to emerge.Readers will find the answers to these and other questions: What is minimally cooperative behavior? By what steps could full members of a society organized by conventions, norms and institutions be constructed from creatures with minimal social skills and cognitive abilities? What do we experience of actions when we act together with a purpose?