Bain, Alexander (1818-1903)

Scottish philosopher. He was professor of philosophy at Aberdeen from 1860 onwards, and founded the journal Mind in 1876.

Although Bain was sympathetic to the ideas of the utilitarians (see utilitarianism), he maintained that there was a much closer link between belief and action than their theories allowed for. In particular, he held that, in order to be conscious, we must discriminate. His major works include The Senses and the Intellect, 1855, and The Emotions and the Will, 1859.