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PHL 203 Theories of Reality

PHL 203 Theories of Reality. The Mind-Body Problem. The Mind-Body Problem. Ontology Idealism Materialism Dualism If the mind and body are the same, why do they seem different? If different, how do they interact?. Dualist Answers. Cartesian Interactionism

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PHL 203 Theories of Reality

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  1. PHL 203Theories of Reality The Mind-Body Problem

  2. The Mind-Body Problem Ontology • Idealism • Materialism • Dualism If the mind and body are the same, why do they seem different? If different, how do they interact?

  3. Dualist Answers Cartesian Interactionism • Mind and brain interface in pineal gland • Interaction mysterious like gravity • We know THAT it happens but not HOW • We know mind & body are distinct because they are conceptually different

  4. Dualist Answers • Epiphenomenalism • Parallelism/Occasionalism

  5. Eliminative or Reductive vs.Simple Materialism A theory about • Mentalistic language • Folk psychology • How we talk about things • Is talk about thoughts, beliefs and intentions “unscientific” or “misleading?” • Reductive materialists suggest restricting ourselves to precise, quantifiable terms and observations

  6. Materialist Answers Logical Behaviorism • Gilbert Ryle • Ghost in the machine criticism • Descartes says that it’s NOT like a pilot and his ship, more intimate and mysterious • Category Mistakes • The University Example • The Baseball Game Example

  7. Materialist Answers Logical Behaviorism • Mentalistic language refers to dispositions to behave in various ways under particular circumstances • Al is angry = • Al is behaving angrily (red in the face, yelling, pounding his fist on the desk) • Objection: Confusing mental states with evidence for them in others

  8. Materialist Answers • The Mind-Brain Identity Theory • Julien Offray La Mettrie, Man: A Machine

  9. Arguments Against Dualism • Vitalism analogy • Brain injuries cause mind injuries • Sophistication of nervous system correlated with sophistication of consciousness • Restoring dead bodies to life restores consciousness - why does the soul conveniently return?

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