When John McDowell's Mind and World was published in 1994 it created great excitement in the world of philosophy. It was widely read and debated by professional philosophers and students alike. Many philosophy books are published each year but there was clear agreement that this one was exceptional. Of course, philosophy is a contested discipline. There was, and remains, widespread disagreement with many, perhaps all, of McDowell's key claims, but Mind and World has continued to exercise a powerful hold on the imagination of philosophers. Why did it generate such interest? I think there are three main reasons and these shed light on the significance of McDowell's philosophy more generally.

First, Mind and World addresses what is perhaps the central question of modern philosophy (since Descartes): what is the relation between mind and world? This large and rather abstract question is raised through a number of more specific, but still central, questions in philosophy. How is it possible for thoughts to be about the world, for intentionality to be possible? What must the world be like if it can be “taken in” by subjects in experiences? What is the connection between thought and experience: does thought presuppose experience? What role do the natural sciences play in describing the limits of the natural world, of what is really real? How does understanding through reasons relate to explanation by laws?

Secondly, the cast of characters is impressive.