Materialism

Question 1

What is Hobbes’ hard materialism?

Answer 1

the belief that only physical matter exist; the mind/soul is the brain

Question 2

Hobbes’ quote on materialism

Answer 2

“substance and body signify the same thing”

Question 3

Jackson’s problem with Hobbes

Answer 3

Qualia problem: physicalism can’t explain subjective (Mary’s room)

Question 4

what is Frank Jackson’s ‘Mary’s room’

Answer 4

Scientist Mary knows all physical facts about color vision but has never seen color. When she finally sees red, she learns something new (qualia - subjective experience)

Question 5

How does Mary’s room challenge Hobbes

Answer 5

Shows experience can’t be reduced to physics

Question 6

Ryle’s category mistake (support)

Answer 6

the soul is a misuse of language (like calling a university a “thing”

Question 7

descartes’ interaction problem (against)

Answer 7

How can a non- physical mind (soul) cause physical actions

Question 8

identity theory (support) - Smart + Place

Answer 8

mental states are identical to brain states
- When you feel happy, it’s not some magic soul making you happy—it’s just your brain’s happiness chemicals (like dopamine) doing their job.