Dualism Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the nature of the mind in philosophy?
The nature of the mind is a central question in the philosophy of mind, particularly in relation to its distinction from the body and whether it can be fully explained in physical terms.
What are phenomenal properties of mental states?
Phenomenal properties refer to the subjective, qualitative aspects of mental experiences—what it feels like to have a certain experience.
Give examples of phenomenal properties.
- The redness of a sunset
- The pain of a headache
- The taste of chocolate
Why are phenomenal properties important?
These properties seem to resist explanation in purely physical terms, leading to debates about whether consciousness can be reduced to brain states.
What is the definition of qualia?
Qualia refer to the phenomenal properties of mental states.
List key characteristics of qualia.
- Intrinsic
- Non-intentional
- Introspectively accessible
What does intentionality mean in relation to mental states?
Intentionality is the property of mental states that they are about something—they represent things beyond themselves.
Provide examples of intentional properties.
- Beliefs (e.g., believing that Paris is the capital of France)
- Desires (e.g., wanting a cup of coffee)
- Thoughts (e.g., thinking about a holiday)
How do qualia and intentional states differ?
Qualia are purely experiential and do not represent anything beyond themselves, while intentional states always have content and are directed toward something external.
What does Leibniz’s Law state?
If two things are identical, then they must share all the same properties.
How did Descartes use Leibniz’s Law in relation to dualism?
Descartes argued that the mind and body are distinct substances because they have different properties.
List the properties of the body according to Descartes.
- Divisible
- Extended in space
- Subject to physical laws
List the properties of the mind according to Descartes.
- Indivisible
- Non-extended
- Conscious
What is the Masked Man Fallacy?
It suggests that just because you know one thing under one description but not under another does not mean they are distinct.
What does property dualism assert?
Property dualism is the view that at least some mental properties are not reducible to or supervenient upon physical properties.
What is the philosophical zombies argument for property dualism?
It posits that if a being can be conceived as physically identical to us but without conscious experience, then consciousness must be something beyond physical properties.
What is a philosophical zombie?
A philosophical zombie is a hypothetical being that is physically and functionally identical to normal humans but lacks conscious experience.
What is the Argument from Analogy?
We infer that others have minds because they behave as we do.
What is the Conceptual Interaction Problem?
If the mind is non-physical, how can it cause physical changes, like moving the body?
What does epiphenomenalism claim?
Epiphenomenalism is the view that mental states are caused by physical states but do not themselves cause anything.
What is the Challenge Posed by Introspective Self-Knowledge?
We seem to know our thoughts influence our actions, which contradicts epiphenomenalism.
What is the Challenge Posed by Natural Selection/Evolution?
If mental states have no causal power, it questions why they would evolve since evolution selects for beneficial traits.
