On the Contrary : Critical Essays, 1987-1997

This collection of critical essays by Paul and Patricia Churchland was prepared in the belief that the most useful and revealing of anyone's writings are often those shorter essays penned in conflict with or criticism of one's professional colleagues.The essays present the Churchlands' critical responses to a variety of philosophical positions advanced by some 24 dozen philosophical theorists.

The book is divided into three parts: folk psychology and eliminative materialism; meaning, qualia and emotion - the several dimensions of consciousness; and the philosophy of science.

V.S. Ramachandran and Rick Grush are co-authors on two of the essays.