Mind-Brain Type Identity Theory

Question 1

What is the Type identity theory? What is the key idea of the Type Identity theory?

Answer 1

It is a physicalist theory which states that Mental states are identical to Brain states. Mental properties are reduced to physical properties

Question 2

What is the Ockham’s razor and how does it relate to the theory?

Answer 2

Ockham’s razor — the simplest explanation is usually the best one. Substance dualism also presents an account for relationship between mind and body, however the type identity theory’s explanation requires only one entity (the brain) — it is simpler.

Question 3

Are physical/mental concepts distinct or the same?

Answer 3

Physical and mental concepts can be distinct, but they pick out one and the same property e.g pain is mental, c-fibers firing is physical, but they refer to the same thing.

Question 4

What’s Jack Smart’s phrase about brain processes?

Answer 4

“Nothing over and above brain processes”

Question 5

What does Jack Smart say about mental and brain states?

Answer 5

Mental states and brain states are contingently identical (ontologically reduced)

Contingent Identity — you can rescue something to something else e.g minds to brain processes
Ontological Reduction — mental states can be reduced to brain states e.g pain is c-fibers firing or lighting is electrical discharge

Question 6

What is an analytical reduction?

Answer 6

When the opposite idea is contradiction e.g triangle is a shape with 3 sides (it can’t be otherwise)