l ecture 7: t he m ind -b ody p roblem. l ecture o utline in today’s lecture we will: 1.briefly...
TRANSCRIPT
LECTURE 7: THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM
LECTURE OUTLINE
In today’s lecture we will:
1.1.Briefly recap Descartes theory of realityBriefly recap Descartes theory of reality
2.2.Examine an important consequence of Descartes’ theory of reality; Examine an important consequence of Descartes’ theory of reality;
The Mind-Body ProblemThe Mind-Body Problem
3.3.Analyze Descartes’ attempt at resolving the mind-body problemAnalyze Descartes’ attempt at resolving the mind-body problem
4.4.Make an attempt at understanding the significance of the mind-body Make an attempt at understanding the significance of the mind-body problemproblem
5.5.Begin our investigation into historical and contemporary attempts to Begin our investigation into historical and contemporary attempts to resolve the mind-body problemresolve the mind-body problem
RECAP
DESCARTES’ THEORY OF REALITY
Descartes’ Theory of RealityDescartes’ Theory of Reality
According to Descartes, our world is composed of two distinct According to Descartes, our world is composed of two distinct substancessubstances
Physical and Mental SubstancesPhysical and Mental Substances
Each substance exhibits the following properties:Each substance exhibits the following properties:
Substance Physical(Res Extensio)
Mental(Res Cogitans)
Essence Extension Thought
Modes Size Affirmation
Shape Denial
Location Doubt
Part Volition
Mobility Hope
THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM
THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM
Descartes’ Two Substances: Mental and PhysicalDescartes’ Two Substances: Mental and Physical
Body Mind
Brain, Neurones, Eyes, Arms etc.
Sensations, Pains, Feelings etc.
Actions, Behaviour...Desires, Hopes, Dreams...
Descartes: The Mind Can Continue to Exist Apart From
the Body
The Distinction between Mental and Physical EventsThe Distinction between Mental and Physical Events
MentalMental
PhysicalPhysical
Taste of Ice Taste of Ice CreamCream
Neurones Neurones and and
Chemicals in Chemicals in the Brainthe Brain
Experience of Experience of Seeing Seeing
something Redsomething Red
Brain Activity in Brain Activity in Response to Response to
Stimuli Stimuli
Thought About Thought About the Cow in the the Cow in the
RoadRoad
Physical and Physical and Behavioural Behavioural ResponsesResponses
The Mind-Body Problem
The Mind-Body Problem
Taste of Ice Cream
Seeing chairs
An objective view of the brain A subjective view of the mind
Remembering an old friend
Conce
ptu
al G
ap
Feeling Pain
THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM
Body Mind
Stepping on a Nail
Pain in Foot
Grabbing Candy Bar
Desire to Have Candy Bar
We know that there is a relationship between the mind and body
Taking a Tylenol
No more pain
THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM
The Physical (The Body)
Extension
Size
Shape
Location
Part
Mobility
The Mental (The Mind)
Thought
Affirmation
Denial
Doubt
Volition
Hope..
?
The Mind-Body Problem:The Mind-Body Problem:
If Mind and Brain (Body) are composed of two distinct substances, If Mind and Brain (Body) are composed of two distinct substances, howhow do we explain their causal interaction? do we explain their causal interaction?
HowHow does something non-physical and non-spatial causally interact does something non-physical and non-spatial causally interact with something completely different to itself?with something completely different to itself?
THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM
Some key questions in the philosophy of mind:Some key questions in the philosophy of mind:
oWhat, If Any, Distinction Is There Between The Mind (Mental Events) What, If Any, Distinction Is There Between The Mind (Mental Events)
And The Brain (Physical Events)?And The Brain (Physical Events)?
oAssuming Such A Distinction Exists, What Is The Relationship Assuming Such A Distinction Exists, What Is The Relationship
Between The Mind And The Brain?Between The Mind And The Brain?
oWhat Is The Ontological Status Of Mental Events?What Is The Ontological Status Of Mental Events?
oCan the problem be resolved by replacing dualist explanation with Can the problem be resolved by replacing dualist explanation with
monistic ones?monistic ones?
DESCARTES’ SOLUTION
DESCARTES’ SOLUTION
Q: How do we explain the relationship between mind and body?Q: How do we explain the relationship between mind and body?
Descartes’ Solution:Descartes’ Solution:
A: The mind and body are mediated through the A: The mind and body are mediated through the Pineal GlandPineal Gland
Why? It appears to serve no other purpose.Why? It appears to serve no other purpose.
What is wrong with Descartes solution?What is wrong with Descartes solution?
1.1.Flawed ReasoningFlawed Reasoning
Just because something appears to play no other role Just because something appears to play no other role doesn’t necessarily mean that it must play another roledoesn’t necessarily mean that it must play another role
2.2.Self-ContradictorySelf-Contradictory
a) Mental substance is distinct from physical substancesa) Mental substance is distinct from physical substancesb) Location is a property of physical substancesb) Location is a property of physical substancesc) In attributing a location to the mind, Descartes is c) In attributing a location to the mind, Descartes is
suggesting that the mind is not physical but has physical qualities?suggesting that the mind is not physical but has physical qualities?
HOW DO WE RESOLVE THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM?
What should we do with substance dualism?What should we do with substance dualism?
We want to know what the relationship is between the mind and the We want to know what the relationship is between the mind and the
brainbrain
o Is substance dualism worth saving?Is substance dualism worth saving?
o Can it be fixed?Can it be fixed?
o Or, should we just abandon it?Or, should we just abandon it?
o If we abandon it, what alternatives do we have?If we abandon it, what alternatives do we have?
o What are the consequences of these alternatives?What are the consequences of these alternatives?
RESOLVING THE PROBLEM
RESOLVING THE PROBLEM
Why does the mind-body problem endure?Why does the mind-body problem endure?
a)a)In our experience it appears that the mind and body are distinctIn our experience it appears that the mind and body are distinct
b)b)Mind-matter dualism appears to coincide with our common-sense Mind-matter dualism appears to coincide with our common-sense intuitionintuition
c)c)Thoughts, feelings, etc. are wholly private (unlike brain processes)Thoughts, feelings, etc. are wholly private (unlike brain processes)
d)d)Traditionally there is a great deal of resistance to the idea that our Traditionally there is a great deal of resistance to the idea that our minds work in the same way as other merely physical things.minds work in the same way as other merely physical things.
RESOLVING THE PROBLEM
Why does mind-matter dualism appear to be inappropriate?Why does mind-matter dualism appear to be inappropriate?
a)a) We know that there is a causal relationship between mind and bodyWe know that there is a causal relationship between mind and body
b)b) UnscientificUnscientific
c)c) It appears to lack a clear solutionIt appears to lack a clear solution
d)d) Too obscure and mysteriousToo obscure and mysterious
Overall dilemma
Giving up on substance dualism is difficultAND
Accepting substance dualism is difficult
ALTERNATIVES TO DUALISM
Category MistakesCategory Mistakes
I shall often speak of [the “official doctrine”] with deliberate I shall often speak of [the “official doctrine”] with deliberate
abusiveness, as “the dogma of the Ghost in the Machine.” . . . It is abusiveness, as “the dogma of the Ghost in the Machine.” . . . It is
not merely an assemblage of particular mistakes. It is one big not merely an assemblage of particular mistakes. It is one big
mistake and a mistake of a special kind. It is, namely, a category mistake and a mistake of a special kind. It is, namely, a category
mistake. It represents the facts of mental life as if they belonged to mistake. It represents the facts of mental life as if they belonged to
one logical type or category (or range of types of categories), when one logical type or category (or range of types of categories), when
they actually belong to another. The dogma is therefore a they actually belong to another. The dogma is therefore a
philosopher’s myth.philosopher’s myth.
(Textbook, p. 101)(Textbook, p. 101)
RYLE’S ATTACK
RYLE’S ATTACK
Category MistakesCategory Mistakes
RYLE’S ATTACK
Bowler
Batters
Wicket Keeper
Umpire
Fielders
Category MistakesCategory Mistakes
RYLE’S ATTACK
Ryle attacks the mind-body problem itself on the following grounds:Ryle attacks the mind-body problem itself on the following grounds:
oCategory mistakes occur when we take a term or concept that belongs Category mistakes occur when we take a term or concept that belongs in one category, and mistakenly place it in another inappropriate in one category, and mistakenly place it in another inappropriate categorycategory
oAnyone attempting to talk about mental states as particular Anyone attempting to talk about mental states as particular things things is is making a category-mistakemaking a category-mistake
oThe mind-body problem is therefore invalid because it rests on a The mind-body problem is therefore invalid because it rests on a category mistakecategory mistake
oRyle does not deny that minds may exist, but denies that they can be Ryle does not deny that minds may exist, but denies that they can be described in the same way we describe physical things (trees, actions, described in the same way we describe physical things (trees, actions, chairs etc.)chairs etc.)
oRyle’s objection is primarily logical, not ontological.Ryle’s objection is primarily logical, not ontological.
RYLE’S ATTACK
Ryle’s SolutionRyle’s Solution
We do not need to use We do not need to use mentalese mentalese (mental language) to explain human (mental language) to explain human actionsactions
Instead we can adequately describe, evaluate, explain and account for Instead we can adequately describe, evaluate, explain and account for human actions by appealing to dispositions, behaviour, etc.human actions by appealing to dispositions, behaviour, etc.
Consider how you would describe someone who is:Consider how you would describe someone who is:
oThinkingThinkingoIn loveIn loveoHappyHappyoSadSadoIn painIn painoIn a bad moodIn a bad moodoCarrying out mathematical equationsCarrying out mathematical equations
Can all human activities be described in terms of behaviour?Can all human activities be described in terms of behaviour?
Are there any human activities that we Are there any human activities that we must must use use mentalesementalese language to language to explain?explain?