Chapter 3 - Property Dualism

Question 1

What is property Dualism?

Answer 1

Some entities have both physical and non-physical properties

Note the difference with substance dualism, according to which the mind and the body are different things altogether,

According to property dualism, one thing e.g my brain might have both physical and non-physical properties

Question 2

What is Qualia

Answer 2

Raw feels, what-it-is-like aspects of experience, the redness of red, the heartiness of pain

Question 3

Inverted Spectrum argument

Answer 3

1) Inverted spectra are conceivable
2) If inverted spectra are conceivable, then they are possible.
3) If inverted spectra are possible, then qualia are not physical properties.

4) Qualia are mental properties.
5) There are non-physical mental properties.

Question 4

Zombies Argument

Answer 4

1) Philosophical zombies are conceivable
2) If philosophical zombies are conceivable, then they are possible.
3) If philosophical zombies are possible, then qualia are not physical properties.

4) Qualia are mental properties.
5) There are non-physical properties.

Question 5

Knowledge Argument

Answer 5

1) In her black-and-white room, Mary knows all the physical facts (about color vision)
2) In her black and white room, Mary does not know all the facts (about color vision)
3) Some facts are not physical facts
4) If some facts are not physical facts, then there must be non-physical properties.

5) There are non-physical properties.

backup for (1): she learns the relevant facts by reading black-and-white texts and watching black-and-white video lectures

backup for (2): when she is released from her room and sees red for the first time, she will learn something new, namely what red looks like to her.

backup for (4): all facts are facts because certain properties are either present or not present.

Question 6

Objection to Property Dualism

Epiphenomenalism

Answer 6

Although non-physical, mental properties are caused, they do not do any causing.

The hurt of pain is not what causes you to pull your hand away from a hot stove.

1) If property dualism is true, then epiphenomenalism is true.
2) Epiphenomenalism is not true.
3) property dualism is not true.

backup for (1): according to property dualism, some/all mental properties are non-physical, and non-physical properties cannot have causal effects on physical properties.

backup for (2): isnt it just obvious that things such as hurt of pain cause you to do things?