metaphysics of mind Flashcards
(5 cards)
indivisibility argument
1)the body is divisible into parts
2)the mind is not
3)Therefore the mind must be of an entirely different nature to the body
A-The mind is divisible with aspects eg subconscious
R-It isn’t spatially divisible
A-Not everything thought of as physical is divisible
R-Everything physical is theoretically/ logically divisible
The conceivability argument
1)If i can clearly and distinctly think of the essential natures of mind and body separately, then it must be possible to separate them
2)I can clearly and distinctly conceive of it
3)Therefore it must be possible to separate them
can CD perceive of mind and body separate
A-Mind without body is inconceivable pain without body?
R-People can make sense of God or angels though
A-What is conceivable may not be metaphysically possible
A-What is metaphysically possible tells us nothing about reality
P-zombies
-A purely physical description of the mind will always leave something out eg qualia
1) Zombies are conceivable
2)Whatever is conceivable is possible
3)Therefore zombies are possible
If it is possible to have physical properties and mental properties exist without each other, they cannot be identical
A-A zombie world is not conceivable, if we had physical and functional duplicates then they would have consciousness
R-Physicalist theories cannot explain qualia
A-What is conceivable may not be metaphysically possible
R-The essence of water is physical, to be H20, but the essence of certain experiences are how they feel eg pain- qualia
A-What is metaphysically possible tells us nothing about reality, just shows that there could be qualia
R-If it is metaphysically possible that they are distinct then they cannot be identical
Jackson’s knowledge/ Mary argument
-Mary is brilliant neuroscientist
-lived in a white room all her life
-gets let out and sees a red apple, must be said to gain something-qualia
A-she gains no propositional knowledge only abilty eg to be able to imagine her room as red
A
