Mind and Reality: The Problem of Qualia

Flashcards about the problem of qualia, the Chinese Room experiment, and the Mary thought experiment.

Scientific Naturalism

The idea that minds should be accounted for physically, but there seems to be more to it than just physical facts can address, like intentionality and experience.

The Chinese Room

A thought experiment by John Searle where someone manipulates symbols without understanding them, simulating intelligent conversation without actual comprehension.

Systems Reply

A response to the Chinese Room argument stating understanding isn't about the person, but the entire system (person, manual, room).

Robot Reply

A response to the Chinese Room stating that skepticism might stem from the lack of a body, suggesting a robot body could be attached.

Simulator Reply

Challenges the artificiality concern by proposing a functionally identical neuron fabrication, questioning if it would be a thinker.

The Mary Thought Experiment

A thought experiment by Frank Jackson involving Mary, who learns all physical facts about color while in a black and white room.

The Knowledge Argument

Jackson's idea that Mary gains new, non-physical knowledge when she experiences color, implying physical information is insufficient to know about qualia.

Qualia

The technical term for sensations or subjective experiences.

Epiphenomenalism

The view that qualia are causally inert by-products of mental states, like a steam whistle on a locomotive, contributing nothing.

Propositional Knowledge

Knowledge that can be written down, translated and stored. (David Lewis)

Non-Propositional Knowledge

Knowledge consisting of skills that can only be learned through experience. (David Lewis)