Philosophy Exam 2

Dualism

belief that the mind (abstract) & body (physical) are separate entities that interact w/ each other (Descartes)

Physicalism

belief that consciousness is nothing over & above physical brain activity (no souls)

Functionalism

belief that mental states are defined by their role or function, not by what they’re made out of

Panpsychism 

belief that consciousness is fundamental & widespread, even particles have proto-consciousness 

Illusionism

belief that consciousness as we think of it (as an inner theater) does not exist…it’s an illusion

Higher-Order Theories

belief that a mental state is conscious when we can reflect on it or have a thought about it

What does Descartes mean by Cogito, Ergo Sum?

“I think, therefore I am”

Why is Descartes' Cogito, Ergo Sum important to Philosophy? 

it’s the first undoubtable truth that sets the foundation for all further theories on the self 

What was Descartes’ skepticism?

idea that we cannot know anything at all to be true or false

What was Descartes’ wax example?

he uses a piece of wax that, when heated, changes all its sensory qualities (like smell, color, etc.) but remains the same substance

it argues that our minds, not our senses (deceiving), are the source of our knowledge abt the true essence of things

What did Ryle say was Descartes’ “categorical mistake”? 

Category Mistake: happens when someone treats something as if it belongs to one category when it actually belongs to another…like mixing up types of thing that are not even comparable (believed that Descartes was asking the wrong question)

Explain “What is it like to be a bat?” thought experiment

Nagel wants to know what the bats own POV is but our imagination only tells us what it would be like for us if we acted like bats (imagination is limited to human experience)
*uses bat b/c they have echolocation - a sense humans don’t have

What is the subjective experience of consciousness?

first-person, tied to a single viewpoint

What is reductionism?

the practice of explaining complex phenomena/ideas by breaking them down into their simpler, more fundamental parts (Nagel rejects it…can’t use it on consciousness bc it’s subjective)
Ex) Water —> Hydrogen & Oxygen

What is Parfit’s bodily continuity view?

LOOK @Parfit; Personal Identity Slides (physical continuity)

What is Parfit’s psychological continuity view?

an overlapping chain of strong connectedness (memories, traits, etc.) over time

Teletransportation Thought Experiment Explained

presents a machine that scans a person’s body, transmits the info. to another location, then destroys the og while creating an exact replica in the foreign place…challenging the idea of personal identity (is the replica the same person or a new person)
*shows personal identity is not critical to survival 

What does Parfit say about identity? 

he says it follows this formula: PI = R + U & it’s not critical to survival

PI = Personal Identity 

R = psychological continuity/connectedness 

U = Uniqueness 

What is the paradox in William’s essay?

both presentation describe the same physical process: psychological info. is transferred YET they lead to opposite conclusions abt who you are (both attitudes seem rational BUT both can’t be right)

What 2 conclusions did Williams get in his thought experiment? What did these mean?

1. Body A’s memories/character move to body B, so you want B to get a reward a & A to be tortured. → This supports psychological continuity as the basis of identity

2. You wake up tmr & have all your memories/traits taken away & you will be tortured…you feel fear, bc you still expect to suffer → This supports bodily continuity as the basis of identity