Introduction to Physicalism

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to physicalism, including its definitions, principles, and debates surrounding identity theory.

Supervenience

The idea that the mental depends on the physical, meaning any change in mental properties must correspond to a change in physical properties.

Ockham's Razor

A principle that suggests one should not multiply entities beyond necessity, advocating for simplicity in theories.

Identity Theory

The theory that mental states are identical to physical brain states.

Type Physicalism

The position that every type of mental state can be identified with a type of physical state.

Token Physicalism

The claim that every token mental event is identical to some token physical event.

Explanatory power

The ability of a theory or explanation to account for and clarify observed phenomena.

Types vs. Tokens

A distinction where 'types' refer to abstract categories and 'tokens' refer to concrete instances of those types.

Physicalism

The thesis that everything that exists is physical or dependent on physical substances.

Dualism

The view that mind and body are distinct, and that mental phenomena are, in some respects, non-physical.

Qualia

The subjective, qualitative aspects of conscious experience, often cited as a challenge for physicalism.