Untitled Flashcards Set

Substance Dualism

The view that the mind and body are fundamentally distinct substances, with the mind being a non-physical, thinking substance and the body a physical, extended substance.

Physicalism

The view that everything, including the mind, is entirely physical and that mental states are brain states.

Epiphenomenalism

The idea that mental states are byproducts of physical brain activity but do not cause anything.

Behaviorism

A type of physicalism that asserts mental states are just behaviors or dispositions to behave.

Differences between Substance Dualism, property dualism, and physicalism

mind and body are separate substances

Differences between Substance Dualism, property dualism, and physicalism

the mind is not a separate substance but has non-physical properties

Differences between Substance Dualism, property dualism, and physicalism

the mind is fully physical; mental states = brain states

Descartes' Conceivability Argument

I can conceive of my mind existing without my body.

If I can conceive it, it is possible.

If it is possible, then mind and body are distinct substances.

Jackson’s Knowledge Argument

Premise 1: If physicalism is true, then all knowledge is physical knowledge.
Premise 2: Mary learns something new when she leaves the black-and-white room.
Conclusion: Therefore, not all knowledge is physical knowledge, so physicalism is false.

Mary in the Black-and-White Room

A thought experiment where Mary, who knows all physical facts about color, learns something new when she sees color for the first time.

Qualia

The subjective experience of perceptions, such as the experience of seeing the color red.

Churchland's Objection to the Knowledge Argument

Churchland argues that Mary gains a new ability to recognize colors rather than new knowledge.

who is a Property Dualist?

Jackson; argues that mental properties (like qualia) are non-physical, making him a property dualist.

one similarity between epiphenomenalism and interactionism

both accept that the mind is non-physical

one difference between epiphenomenalism and interactionism

E: the mind does not affect the body

I: the mind does affect the body

Imitation Game

A test proposed by Alan Turing where a judge attempts to distinguish between a man and a woman through text-based questions.

Turing's Modified Imitation Game

An extension of the Imitation Game where a judge must identify a machine among players, testing machine intelligence.

Searle's Argument against Digital Computers

Searle argues that digital computers process syntax but do not understand semantics, lacking real understanding.

Chinese Room Argument

Illustrates that a person following symbol manipulation rules does not understand the language, akin to a computer.

who is Fred in Jackson’s Epiphenomenal Qualia paper?

A character who can distinguish two shades of red, suggesting the existence of non-physical mental properties.

Identity Theory

The theory that mental states, such as pain, are identical to specific brain states, like C-fiber firing.