L4 - Epiphenomenal Qualia by Frank Jackson

Question 1

Jackson’s use of the term “physical information”:

Answer 1

The information we have about the physical, chemical, and biological sciences.

Question 2

Jackson describes himself as a “qualia freak”, meaning:

Answer 2

He believes there are certain features of bodily sensations that no amount of purely physical information includes.

Question 3

What are the 4 arguments Jackson makes?

Answer 3

1. Knowledge argument
2. Modal argument
3. “What it is like to be” argument
4. Question of the causal role of qualia

Question 4

What is the example that Jackson uses in his knowledge argument?

Answer 4

Some guy Fred can see two different colors in the one color we call red.

Question 5

What is the argument the Jackson creates from the example of Fred?

Answer 5

Even if we had all of the physical information about Fred, we wouldn’t know the experience. Thus physicalism leaves something out.

Question 6

What was my personal commentary on the knowledge argument?

Answer 6

I disagree with Jackson’s premise of “we have all the physical information.” Any neuroscientist would say that we don’t understand the human brain.

Question 7

What is the modal argument?

Answer 7

There could exist a being with all the same physical makeup as us but lacking consciousness. Thus physicalism lacks something.