Physicalism (EM , MBTIT) Flashcards
Define elimination
Elimination : ceasing to use a concepts on the grounds 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 on properties of type B just in case any two things that are exactly alike in their B properties cannot have 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 )
What is physicalism ( 3m)
The theory that everything that exists is physical or depends upon something that is physical. Everything that is ontologically fundamental is therefore physical and comes under the laws and investigations of physics.
(Physicalism is therefore a monist theory – it claims there is only one kind of substance).
What is hempel’s hard behaviorism
Hempel’s version of philosophical behaviorism claims that statements containing mental concepts can be reduced or translated into statements about behavior and physical states containing no mental concepts only physical ones . Also known as “ analytical” behaviorism or “logical” behaviorism.
What is philosophical behaviorism
A family of theories that claim that our talk about the mind can be analyzed in terms of talk about behavior. The meaning of our mental concepts is given by behavior and behavioral dispositions.
Why is eliminative materialism a from of physicalism
Eliminative materialism endorses a futurepicture where mental states aredescribed andexplained purely in terms ofneuroscience.This implies that mental states either areidentical to or aresupervenient upon physical(brain) states.
What is introspection
Direct, first-personal awareness of one’s own mental states
