the knowledge argument mary in captivity mary is raised from birth in the black & white (and...
Post on 18-Dec-2015
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TRANSCRIPT
The Knowledge Argument
Mary in captivity
• Mary is raised from birth in the Black & White (and grey) room.
• Her skin pigments are altered, her hair dyed black (or white, or grey)
Mary in Captivity
• She has had no experiences of colors whatsoever…poor Mary!
Mary’s Education
• However, Mary has been given a first-rate scientific education through lectures transmitted via TV…Black & White of course!
Clip
Mary’s Education
• She has become the leading expert in the science of color and color vision, learning everything physical there is to learn about her subject.
Mary’s Escape!
• One glorious day, Mary escapes out into the world of color...
The Question...
• What will happen when Mary sees red for the first time?
• Will she learn something new?
The Answer?
• She does learn something new, namely what it is like to see red.
The problem for materialism
• Remember, Mary knew everything physical there was to know about color and color vision before her escape
The problem for materialism
• So, if she does learn something new, this new something is nonphysical, and therefore, materialism is false!
1st Reply
• Refuse to admit that Mary learns something new!
2nd Reply
• The ability reply: Mary gains know-how, not knowledge of facts
3rd Reply
• The mode-of-presentation reply: Mary learns an old fact in a new way.
4th Reply
• Deny that it is possible for Mary to learn all of the physical facts about color and color vision while locked in the Black & White room.