Arguments Against Folk Psychology

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What did alchemists believe about inanimate matter?

It was completely controlled by material properties.

It was entirely separate from animated matter.

It was composed of physical elements only.

It was continuous with animated matter due to ensoulment. (correct)

Which of the following was NOT one of the four fundamental spirits according to alchemists?

Sulphur

Sal ammoniac

Gold (correct)

Mercury

What aspect of metal properties was mercury believed to be responsible for?

Its resistance to corrosion.

Its shininess and liquefiability. (correct)

Its melting point and boiling point.

Its malleability and strength.

How did alchemists acquire control over materials according to the passage?

By manipulating spirits and essences. Signup and view all the answers

What did alchemists believe about the development of nonmaterial aspects of substances?

They underwent development similar to plant and animal souls. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily influenced the predictions and control that alchemists had?

Apprenticeship and practical experience. Signup and view all the answers

What eventually replaced the alchemical tradition noted in the passage?

The elemental chemistry developed by Lavoisier and Dalton. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the alchemist's view of matter in their practices?

They sought to manipulate energetic spirits within matter. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as the reason that alchemists could create gold?

They employed various methods to create a semblance of gold. Signup and view all the answers

Which theory is used as an example of a functionalist strategy in the content?

Phlogiston theory of combustion. Signup and view all the answers

What is deemed as the nature of the defense of alchemy discussed in the content?

Obfuscatory and reactionary. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what challenge arises from the functionalist strategem?

It serves to preserve errors and confusion. Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest about the naturalistic displacement of properties?

It poses no threat to the understanding of matter. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect makes a piece of matter gold, according to the content?

The orchestration of syndromes of properties. Signup and view all the answers

What historical theories does the content suggest could be revived through functionalist reasoning?

Theories of alchemy and phlogiston. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of alchemy is emphasized as being inferior to natural processes?

Alchemical gold is of lesser perfectness. Signup and view all the answers

What perspective provides a coherent story of human constitution and development?

Natural history and physical sciences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between FP (Folk Psychology) and the physical sciences according to the text?

FP stands alone without reduction to physical sciences. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'conceptual inertia' refer to in relation to FP?

The resistance of FP to change due to its societal relevance. Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the explanatory power of FP?

It suffers from epic explanatory failures. Signup and view all the answers

What historical comparison is made regarding FP's stagnation?

Alchemical practices compared to chemistry Signup and view all the answers

How is the development of physical sciences described in relation to understanding human behavior?

It has a credible long-term claim to explain human behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about FP's future possibilities concerning reduction to physical sciences?

Reduction cannot be ruled out but is unlikely. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author imply about the significance of the current theoretical synthesis of human understanding?

It is seen as a breakthrough in explaining human nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about the current conception of rationality in relation to cognitive virtue?

It may not comprehensively capture the parameters of cognitive virtue. Signup and view all the answers

Why is language use considered a peripheral activity?

It is less vital than fundamental cognitive skills. Signup and view all the answers

What does the text imply about the relationship between propositional attitudes and cognitive virtue?

Cognitive virtue can be observed without reference to language. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered necessary for a more profound understanding of cognitive virtue?

Moving beyond the constraints of propositional kinematics. Signup and view all the answers

How does eliminative materialism relate to normative concerns?

It suggests reconstituting normative concerns at a deeper level. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the author suggest we should explore future possibilities in understanding cognitive virtue?

Through speculative philosophical reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

What limitation does the author attribute to FP’s conception of rationality?

It focuses too heavily on propositional language. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'propositional kinematics' refer to in the context of the text?

The framework of rationality based on propositions. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'vital spirit' refer to in the context provided?

A concept distinguishing between animate and inanimate matter Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument against the anti-vitalist claim mentioned?

It presents a contradiction by asserting the absence of vital spirit Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what does 'folk psychology' refer to?

Common understandings and interpretations of mental states Signup and view all the answers

What is described as a significant tension in good scientific theories?

The conflict between observation and theory Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the relationship between theoretical terms and observable criteria?

Theoretical terms can be loosely connected to observations Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'trade-off' signify in the context of scientific theory construction?

The resulting simplicity in theories when observable criteria are relaxed Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best summarizes the author's view on the displacement of folk psychology?

It is a beneficial evolution supported by evidence Signup and view all the answers

How does the author view the relationship between evidence and system in scientific theories?

A balance between evidence and system is crucial for good theories Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key arguments for Eliminative Materialism

The author argues that folk psychology (FP) is a "terrible theory" that should be eliminated because it is not supported by modern scientific understanding, particularly neuroscience.
FP relies on intentional categories like "beliefs" and "desires" to explain human behavior, but these categories are not reducible to the physical and biological processes that actually underlie our cognition and behavior.
FP's reliance on intentional categories is analogous to the pre-scientific theories of alchemy, phlogiston, the four humors, or vitalism, which were ultimately replaced by more scientific and accurate theories that did not rely on non-material explanations.
FP is a "smokescreen" that masks the lack of a solid theoretical foundation and stifles scientific progress.
Because our understanding of cognitive virtue is currently based on FP, we cannot fully grasp the nature of intellectual virtue. We need to go beyond FP's limitations to understand both human cognition and the nature of rationality.
A truly informed future perspective on cognitive virtue will arise from a mature neuroscience—providing a deeper and more general understanding of the kinematics of cognitive activity.

Example of FP's limitations

FP holds that "beliefs" and "desires" are necessary to explain human behavior. The author argues that this view is analogous to alchemists who believed that the properties of matter were due to the presence of spirits or essences. The author compares these outdated views to FP, arguing that FP relies on outdated ideas about the human mind and behavior.

The problem with the Functionalist Strategem

The author criticizes the "functionalist strategem," which attempts to preserve traditional FP categories by redefining them in terms of their causal roles.
The author rejects this approach, arguing that it amounts to a mere "charade," a smoke screen that disguises FP's fundamental flaws. He draws parallels with alchemy, arguing that FP is just as outdated as alchemy.

The argument against Anti-Vitalism

The author uses an example of an argument against anti-vitalism: The anti-vitalist claims that there is no such thing as "vital spirit." The author states that the argument is self-refuting because if the statement is true then the speaker does not have a "vital spirit" and is therefore dead. If that's true, then the speaker's statement is meaningless.
The author uses this example to illustrate the argument that FP is self-defeating.

Eliminative Materialism and Normative Concerns

While eliminative materialism replaces FP, it doesn't eliminate normative concerns. Instead, it requires them to be reconsidered and redefined within the framework of a matured neuroscience.

Overall Argument

The author advocates for "eliminative materialism," which eliminates folk psychology in favor of a more accurate scientific understanding of the mind and behavior.
This shift will lead to a deeper and more refined understanding of cognitive virtue.
This view requires re-evaluating our conceptions of rationality and cognitive virtue within the context of a mature neuroscience.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores key arguments for Eliminative Materialism, particularly critiquing folk psychology (FP) as an inadequate framework for understanding human cognition and behavior. It discusses the need to move beyond FP in order to embrace a more scientifically robust understanding of intellectual virtue.