Metaphysics Of Mind

YEAR 2 - first topic of moral philosophy . Metaphysics of mind . AQA exam board . Definitions etc .

Define phenomenal consciousness

Define phenomenal consciousness

“ What-it’s-like-ness “

The belief that we know what its like to experience certain things .

Example : drinking a cup of hot chocolate particular conscious experience , taste , the smell etc .

Define intentionality

Means being about something

The belief that every thought is about something and our consciousness is always about something . Cannot have a thought about nothing .

Example : ‘ I don’t just remember ; I remember something ‘ . When thinking about nothing , nothingness is what you are thinking about .

What are mental states

Things which we experience inner of ourselves such as thoughts , feelings , desires .

Example : remembering to turn the oven off when finishing cooking , choosing to do homework instead of going to the gym .

What are neurological states

These are objectively observable things which happen as a result of our brains processes such as hormone secretion , neurones firing .

Example : crying because you’re upset , laughing uncontrollably because somethings funny

Define dualism

The belief that the consciousness is beyond the physical realm and inexplainable in terms of the laws of nature and science .

Define Substance Dualism

2 different substances physical + mental ,minds do not depend on bodies to exist , ontologically distinct and independent

Explain the substance dualism argument of indivisibility

P1. My mind is invisible

P2. My physical body is divisible

P3. Two substances have different properties therefore cannot be the same substance

P4. Mind + body different properties

P5. Mind + body different substances

C. Mind is not my body

Explain the substance dualism argument of conceivability

P1. Clear understanding of myself as a conscious but not as an extended thing

P2. Understanding , clear + distinctly , of my body as an extended but not conscious thing

P3. Therefore clearly + distinctly I understand myself as an extended but not conscious thing

P4. Whatever I can clearly + distinctly understand has been brought by God + is possible

C. Therefore as a thinking ting can exist apart from my extended body

Outline premise and conclusion for the argument of Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia

P1. All physical events have physical causes

P2. If the mind is not physical it cannot cause the body to move

P3. From experience I know the mind can cause the body to move

C. Mind is physical

Outline premises and conclusions of problem of other minds argument

P1. If substance dualism is true , then we cannot know the mental states of others

P2. We do , on at least some occasions know the mental states of others

C. Therefore substance dualism is false

What is Mills response to the argument of the problem of other minds

Argument from analogy :

P1. Understand our own actions inn terms of stimulus , mental state and response

P2. Stubbing your toe , feeling that pain , verbally reacting to that ‘ OW ‘

P3. See the stimulus and response in other people

P4. Empathise can understand the pain and know from own experience

C. Conclude that other people have mental states

What is a problem with the argument from analogy