Property dualism - Philosophical zombies argument Flashcards
What is the formal philosophical zombies’ argument?
P1: Physicalism claims that consciousness is ultimitely physical in nature.
P2: It follows that any physical world that is identical to ours has consciousness.
P3: However, we can concieve of a world without consciousness and that is physically identical to this world (The world of p. zombies)
P4: Therefore, the zombie world is metaphysically possible.
C: Therefore, physicalism is false.
Why can this argument work for substance dualism?
It can work for substance dualism as well, because it does not necessarily prove property dualism, only disprove physicalism, which means other branches of dualism can be accessible to this argument.
What is the definition of supervenience?
If one set of facts (A) supervenes on anothe set of facts (B) if you cannot change the A facts without changing the B facts.
What is an example of applied superveniece?
If you were to atomically recreate the mona lisa, then you would be able to replicate the artistry and beauty created from the painting exactly. This means that the beauty and the artistry of the Mona Lisa supervenes on its atomic structure, because you cannot change the beauty without changing the structure.
What is a philosophical zombie?
A philosophical zombie is a conscious being or human which is created physically identical to other humans, however, they do not experience the phenomenal properties which human beings do. This means when they do not know what it is like to experience something, or to have qualia.
What is the relation between supervenience and property dualism?
Physicalists believe the mind supervenes on the brain. this means the mind can only change with a physical change.
What is Chalmer’s opinion on supervenience?
Chalmer’s believed that the natural laws of this world mean that the mind has to supervene on the brain. However, in other worlds, this does not have to be the case. Therefore, zombies are impossible in this world, but not in others.
