Which of these do you agree with? Physical properties are sufficient for the bringing about of all physical events e.g. the sulphurous properties of the match-head, the properties of the match box surface and the oxygen surrounding are sufficient for the match's lighting. If all of these properties are sufficient for the match's lighting, then nothing else is causally relevant to the match's lighting Some things, while having a physical basis, can't simply be reduced to physical states, or described purely in the language of physics e.g. some things exist that have features which cannot simply be explained through their physical make up Some things, can't simply be reduced to physical states at all and have to exist beyond the physical world e.g. Some elements of the world and existence cannot be reduced at all - they are simply not physical and exist beyond the physical world

Property Dualism and Epiphenomenalism LO1: To understand these two others type of Dualism LO2: To see if there is any evidence for these theories LO3:To understand why these theories came about

David Chalmers – the hard problem of consciousness Chalmers said there are some elements of the mind that are soft problems of consciousness These are ones where we have, or will, easily explain aspects of consciousness through science and physics

David Chalmers – the hard problem of consciousness However, he also describes the ‘Hard Problem of consciousness’ This is that there are some elements of consciousness which cannot be explained through the physical world alone

Which are ‘hard’ problems? How is it that some organisms are subjects of experience How is it that some organisms are subjects of experience the ability of a system to access its own internal states the ability of a system to access its own internal states the focus of attention the focus of attention Why does awareness of sensory information exist at all Why does awareness of sensory information exist at all the difference between wakefulness and sleep the difference between wakefulness and sleep the integration of information by a cognitive system the integration of information by a cognitive system Why is there a subjective component to experience Why is there a subjective component to experience the ability to discriminate, categorize, and react to environmental stimuli the ability to discriminate, categorize, and react to environmental stimuli the deliberate control of behaviour the deliberate control of behaviour Why do qualia exist Why do qualia exist Why aren't we philosophical zombies Why aren't we philosophical zombies the reportability of mental states the reportability of mental states

Substance Dualism Here is a picture representing SD, copy it; Now, write down the properties of each

Property Dualism Property Dualism says there are no two substances – the mind does not exist elsewhere, causing the prob of interaction At the same time, it is not completely physical and so avoids issues associated with this view Instead, mental states and the mind are made up of mental properties that derive from the physical substance

David Chalmers Property Dualist Describes the ‘Hard Problem of consciousness’ which means he is not a physicalist However he does not speculate that there are other substances – this is a leap that goes too far

Name the properties So where are these properties?

Property Dualism Physical Substance Physical Property Mental Property ????? ?????

Map the process... Draw a flow chart from a property dualist point of view showing how someone goes from being kicked to kicking someone back Make sure you include all the following elements; Leg kicks Anger Get kicked Pain Neurones firing

Problem with Property Dualism A problem can be seen to be caused by the physical substance creating both physical and mental properties? The mental properties have no causal relationship with our actions

Stimulus (stubbing toe) Epiphenomenalism This is a form of dualism where the mind is not physical, and cannot cause anything in the physical world Feel Pain Feel annoyed Stimulus (stubbing toe) Neurone 1 fires Neurone 2 fires Swear

Problem of Property Dualism The mental properties have no causal relationship with our actions Physical substances create mental properties but those have no influence on our actions This is called the Exclusion problem; as mental states are excluded from causality and this leads to...

Problem with Epiphenomenalism Why should we worry about epiphenomenalism? According to some philosophers if epiphenomenalism were true then it would be wrong to say that, for instance, we speak or act at all Jerry Fodor says (dramatically), if it were true that the mental had no causal powers, then ‘practically everything I believe about anything is false and it’s the end of the world.’

Substance Dualism/ Epiphenomenalism Evaluation Advantages over others Disadvantages

Action before Thought Have a read through the article Note down the points relating to how we act on impulse, not because of our conscious thought How does this support/criticise Substance Dualism, Property Dualism and Epiphenomenalism?

The Mind’s Best Trick Have a read through the article Note down any evidence that supports and criticises the dualistic view of the mind

Summary of Property Dualism Property dualism is a compromise position between substance dualism and materialism. Like materialism, it holds that there is only one type of substance: physical. Property dualism denies the existence of immaterial minds that somehow interact with the physical world, animating unconscious bodies. Where property dualism parts with materialism is that it does not attempt to reduce mental states to physical states. Mental states, according to the property dualist, are irreducible; there is no purely physical analysis of mind. Property dualism thus holds that although there is only one type of substance (physical) there are two types of property - physical and non-physical. Our bodies have physical properties such as weight and height, and mental properties such as beliefs and desires. This position is intended to combine the plausible aspects of both dualism and materialism, while avoiding the problems of each.