Wilfrid Sellars - Scientific image of man Flashcards
Philosophical foundations
Extroversion and Introversion
Refers to the outward focus on the immediate environment (extroversion) versus inward reflection (introversion) as markers of human consciousness progression
Analysis and Synthesis
Sellars challenges the idea of philosophy solely as analysis (breaking down knowledge) and advocates for synthesis (bringing together various aspects of knowledge for a coherent understanding)
Analogy
Describes how philosophy clarifies subjects for other disciplines and emphasizes the importance of ongoing reflection and synthesis
Manifest and Scientific Images
Represent everyday understanding versus theoretical scientific understanding of the world, respectively
Categorical and Empirical refinement
Refinement of understanding within existing frameworks (empirical) versus restructuring fundamental categories and principles (categorical)
Perennial Philosophy
Emphasizes enduring truths across cultures, religions, and historical periods
Basic Objects
Fundamental entities, with persons being primary in the manifest image
Spirit and Mind
Sellars suggests a shift away from dualistic theories influenced by the manifest image
Habits (Habituation)
Patterns in human behavior, distinct from animal habits
Cause
Beyond simple causation, extending to predictability, especially in scientific contexts
Consciousness
The perception of the world and self-awareness, emphasizing its reality and structure
Conceptual/Rational Thinking
Involves associations of thoughts and rational connections beyond perceptible nature
Robinson Crusoe Conception
Explores the influence of social norms on individual thinking
Scientific or Unscientific Man
Contrasts the manifest image with the scientific image of humanity
Behaviorism
Aligns with observable behavior but may overlook internal mental processes
Iffy Properties
Uncertain characteristics in behavioristics, especially relevant to human behavior
Manifest Objects
Appearances perceived by human minds, representing underlying realities
Descartes: Sensation Vs. physical objects.
Differentiates between qualities existing in sensation versus independent physical objects
Descartes proposed that qualities like color exist only in sensation, attributing them to the mind of the perceiver rather than to independent physical objects.
Introspection
Introspection is the process of directly knowing our own thoughts and mental states, much like how we perceive objects in the external world.
Consciousness as Physical
Understanding consciousness within the context of neurophysiological processes
