Cognitive science aims to construct a coherent scientific theory to explain our mental life. This book describes what makes scientific theories different from the everyday theories we use to explain behaviour. Because everyday theory and scientific theory have developed for different reasons and against different background assumptions, they need to be evaluated differently and the implications of these differences need to be analyzed. A particular theoretical tool of the investigator attempting a scientific explanation of consciousness is the analogy of the mind as a computer. The Mind in Action discusses how pursuing this analogy to its logical conclusion could lead to a useful parallel scientific account of mental phenomena. Alan Garnham has written a cross-disciplinary introduction to the science of cognition, philosophy, linguistics, artificial intelligence and psychology. Technical terms and jargon are kept to a minimum. This book is intended to be of use to students of cognitive science.