Handout 7- Some Objections To Materialism

Question 0

The argument from Mindful Sentences (1,2,3 MMP)

Answer 0

1) Some mindful sentences are true
2) If some mindful sentences are true, then there are minds
3) if there are minds, then TM is false
4) Therefore, TM is false

Question 1

The argument from consciousness (1,2,3 MMP)

Answer 1

1) I am conscious
2) If I am conscious, then I have a mind
3) if I have a mind, then TM is false
4) therefore, TM is false

Question 2

The argument from Psychic Phenomena (1,2,3 MMP)

Answer 2

1) Psychic phenomena occur
2) If psychic phenomena occur, then there are minds
3) If there are minds, then TM is false
4) Therefore, TM is false

Question 3

First Platonic Argument from Death (1,2,3 MMP)

Answer 3

1) When Socrates died, his soul separated from his body
2) If (1), then Socrates had a soul
3) If Socrates had a soul, then TM is false
4) Therefore, TM is false

Question 4

Second Platonic Argument from Death (1,2 Conj.) (3,4,5 MMP)

Answer 4

1) When Socrates died, he departed
2) When Socrates died, his body did not depart
3) Therefore, (1) & (2)
4) If (1) & (2), then Socrates was not identical to his body
5) If Socrates was not identical to his body, then TM is false
6) Therefore, TM is false

Question 5

The Argument from Doubt (1,2 conj.) (3,4,5 MMP)

Answer 5

1) Descartes supposed his body to be nonexistent
2) Descartes did bit suppose himself to be non existent
3) Therefore, (1) & (2)
4) If (1) & (2), then Descartes was not identical to his body
5) If Descartes was not identical to his body, then TM is false
6) Therefore, TM is false