Introduction to Philosophy of Mind - Lecture 2025

Introduction to Philosophy of Mind 2025 Mind/body problem ∙How can something immaterial (non- extended) causally interact with something material (extended? ∙Mind/brain identity → “mental states are brain states” POP QUIZ ∙Do you think mind/brain identity theory is a good respo...

Introduction to Philosophy of Mind 2025 Mind/body problem ∙How can something immaterial (non- extended) causally interact with something material (extended? ∙Mind/brain identity → “mental states are brain states” POP QUIZ ∙Do you think mind/brain identity theory is a good response to the mind/body problem (the problem of causation)? (Yes/No) Give a short reason for your answer.  Theory of Mind Physicalis Dualism m Mind and body are Mind/brain Functionali distinct identity sm substanc es (Reductio (Non- nist) reductionis t) Reductionism vs Non-reductionism ∙Trees or volcanoes can be identified by understanding the nature of their composite parts. They can be reduced to their parts. ∙Mental or mind states, unlike trees and volcanoes, cannot be identified ‘reductively.’ Reductionism vs non-reductionism ∙Mind/brain identity – Reductionist – The mind is the brain, can be identified by looking at the physical things that make it up. ∙Functionalism – Non-reductionist – that the mind (and mental states) are identified by their function or role, not the physical brain state. Functional kinds ∙Mouse trap ∙A functional kind is ∙President not identified by ∙Shelter the parts that make it up, but by ∙Poison the role or function ∙Table that it has. ∙Clock Shelter Functionalism (non-reductionist) ∙Like a shelter, pain can be identified by its function, not the physical parts that make it up. ∙Pain can be ‘C’ fibres firing; such and such state in an alien; or XYZ in an octopus. ∙A belief/emotion/sensory impression is not defined by the physical things that make it up, but by their role in our lives. Functionalism ∙Does not involve substance dualism (that there is some kind of immaterial stuff). ∙But also does not claim everything mental is reducible to something physical. What do we mean by function? ∙What something does: its role within a complex system of cause and effect. ∙It is a relational term: cannot be understood on its own. For example: ∙Pain: Is caused by: damage to tissue; extreme temperature; etc Causes: crying, cursing, feeling scared, desire to move, etc Cannot be defined/understood in terms of its constituent parts. For example: ∙The belief that it is raining: Caused by seeing/perceiving that it is raining. Causes certain emotions, desires, intention, e.g. to get umbrella. Is related to other beliefs about what rain is etc.