Metaphysics Of Mind —> Physicalism Flashcards
Define elimination
Elimination : ceasing to use a concepts on the grounds that what it refers to does not exist
Define elimination
Ceasing to use a concept on the ground that what it refers to does not exist
Define Ontological reduction
Things in one domain are identical with ) or can be completely explained in terms of ) some things in another domain
Define supervience
A relation between two types of properties. Properties of type A supervene in properties of type B just in case any two things they are exactly alike in their properties cannot gave different A properties
What is mind brain type identity theory
The theory that mental properties are identical ( ontologically reducible) to physical properties of the brain
Why be a mind brain type identity theorist
1.empirical observations and Ockham’s razor
2. The principle of causal principle
Define correlation
A relationship between two things whereby one always accompanies the other ( in the line y= x any increase in y will always mean an increase in x )
Correlation is distinct from identity
What are the strong points about mind brain type identity theory
-mind brain type identity theory can cohere with what we know empirically ( neuroscience)
- does not violate the principle of causal closure
- is the simplest explanation of correlations between mental and physical properties compared to supervenience or causation
Explain the multiple realisability objection to mind brain type identity theory
The claim that one and the same mental states can be realised ( have its function preformed ) by different physical states. This is presented as an objection to the claim that mental states are identical to physical states.
P1. If mental property type M is identical to human brain property type B then any instance of M must be an Instance of B
P2. Multiple realisability premise : it is empirically plausible that some instances of M are not Instances of B ( they are instances of different , non human brain properties )
C1. Therefore , M-type is not identical to B-type
Explain the multiple realisability objection to mind brain type identity theory
The claim that one and the same mental states can be realised ( have its function preformed ) by different physical states. This is presented as an objection to the claim that mental states are identical to physical states.
P1. If mental property type M is identical to human brain property type B then any instance of M must be an Instance of B
P2. Multiple realisability premise : it is empirically plausible that some instances of M are not Instances of B ( they are instances of different , non human brain properties )
C1. Therefore , M-type is not identical to B-type
Define Intra-species variation
Individual humans can differ in term of which brain states correspond to which mental states ( eg two people can have different brain states but are experiencing the same mental state types )
