Identity theory and nomological danglers. Day 4 Nature of Mind

Transcription

1 and nomological danglers Day 4 Nature of Mind

2 Identity theory holds that mental states and mental processes are identical to brain states and brain processes

3 Identity theory holds that mental states and mental processes are identical to states and processes of the brain and nervous system This does NOT mean that, e.g., my toothache is caused by processes in my nervous system and in my brain.

4 Identity theory holds that mental states and mental processes are identical to states and processes of the brain and nervous system This does NOT mean that, e.g., my toothache is caused by processes in my nervous system and in my brain. It means that my toothache IS such a process

5 Identity theory holds that mental states and mental processes are identical to states and processes of the brain and nervous system This does NOT mean that, e.g., my toothache is caused by processes in my nervous system and in my brain. It means that my toothache IS such a process Nothing can cause itself

6 Some materialist philosophers (like J. J. C. Smart) reject logical behaviorism because of the qualia (sensations or perceptions)

7 Some materialist philosophers (like J. J. C. Smart) reject logical behaviorism because of the qualia They are not convinced that, when you have a certain sensation (like a toothache), you are just disposed to say or do certain things

8 Some materialist philosophers (like J. J. C. Smart) reject logical behaviorism because of the qualia They are not convinced that, when you have a certain sensation (like a toothache), you are just disposed to say or do certain things Holding your jaw

9 Some materialist philosophers (like J. J. C. Smart) reject logical behaviorism because of the qualia They are not convinced that, when you have a certain sensation (like a toothache), you are just disposed to say or do certain things Holding your jaw Asking someone to call the dentist and make an appointment for you

10 They are believe there is something more to experiencing qualia than being disposed to behave in certain ways.

11 They are believe there is something more to experiencing qualia than being disposed to behave in certain ways. A sensation or perception is a process in the brain and nervous system

12 They are believe there is something more to experiencing qualia than being disposed to behave in certain ways. A sensation or perception is a process in the brain and nervous system When you say you have a toothache, at least part of what you are doing is reporting that process.

13 They are believe there is something more to experiencing qualia than being disposed to behave in certain ways. A sensation or perception is a process in the brain and nervous system When you say you have a toothache, at least part of what you are doing is reporting that process. You are not reporting an experience you are having in some non-physical mind

14 Materialists like Smart cannot accept that everything in the world can be explained in purely physical terms except the mind.

15 Materialists like Smart cannot accept that everything in the world can be explained in purely physical terms except the mind. If that were the case, mental states such as sensations would be odd nomological danglers

16 If that were the case, mental states such as sensations would be odd nomological danglers They would sit outside of the scope of the physical laws that explain every other aspect of our world.

17 If that were the case, mental states such as sensations would be odd nomological danglers They would sit outside of the scope of the physical laws that explain every other aspect of our world. The ultimate physical laws of the universe, they claim, will be able to explain sensations in physical terms.