Philosophy of Mind and Personal Identity

These flashcards cover key concepts in the philosophy of mind, personal identity, and related theories discussed in the lecture notes.

Solipsism

The philosophical idea that only one's own mind is sure to exist.

Skepticism

The view that certain knowledge is impossible, particularly regarding the existence of an external world.

Dualism

The belief that the mind and body are two distinct substances, one physical and one nonphysical.

Physicalism

The doctrine that mental states are reducible to physical states of the brain.

Cogito argument

Descarte 'I think, therefore I am'

Substance dualism

The view that humans consist of two distinct substances: mind (nonphysical) and body (physical).

Methodological doubt

A systematic process of being skeptical about the truth of one's beliefs.

Epistemology

The study of knowledge, particularly regarding justified true belief.

Elisabeth’s objection

A criticism of Cartesian dualism questioning how a nonphysical mind can interact with a physical body.

Hard problem of consciousness

The challenge of explaining how subjective experiences arise from brain processes.

Personal identity

The concept of what makes a person fundamentally the same over time, encompassing numerical and qualitative identity.

Strong AI

Artificial intelligence that possesses cognitive capabilities equivalent to human intelligence.

Weak AI

Artificial intelligence that simulates human cognition but does not possess true understanding or consciousness.

Qualia

The subjective experience associated with perception, such as the redness of red.

Causal powers

The abilities or properties of an entity that allow it to produce effects in the world, particularly relevant in discussions of the mind and body.

Consciousness

The state of being aware of and able to think about one’s own existence, thoughts, and surroundings.