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OBJECTIONS Identity Theory. The Identity Theory The Identity Theory: Mental states identical to physical states of the brain. To be in pain is to have.

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Presentation on theme: "OBJECTIONS Identity Theory. The Identity Theory The Identity Theory: Mental states identical to physical states of the brain. To be in pain is to have."— Presentation transcript:

1 OBJECTIONS Identity Theory

2 The Identity Theory The Identity Theory: Mental states identical to physical states of the brain. To be in pain is to have C-fibers firing. The Token-Identity Theory: Every mental state token is identical to some token physical state of the brain. The Type-Identity Theory: Every mental state type is identical to some type of physical state of the brain.

3 The Modal Argument 1) If the Identity Theory is correct, then pain is identical to the firing of C-fibers. 2) If pain is identical to the firing of C-fibers, then pain is necessarily identical to the firing of C-fibers. 3) If pain is necessarily identical to firing of C-fibers, then pain could not have existed without the firing of C- fibers. 4) Pain could have existed without the firing of C-fibers. 5) [So] The Identity Theory is not correct.

4 Multiple Realization The Identity Theory: Mental states identical to physical states of the brain. To be in pain is to have C-fibers firing. The Relativized Identity Theory: Mental states are identical to physical states of the brain. To be in pain-for- humans is to have C-fibers firing, to be in pain-for-squids is to have D-fibers firing, to be in pain-for-Orkans is to have activity in silicon chip E, etc.

5 Multiple Realization The Identity Theory: Mental states identical to physical states of the brain. To be in pain is to have C-fibers firing. The Disjunctive Identity Theory*: Mental states are identical to physical states of the brain. To be in pain is to either have C-fibers firing or have D-fibers firing or to have activity in silicon chip E or…

6 Multiple Realization The Identity Theory: Mental states identical to physical states of the brain. To be in pain is to have C-fibers firing. The Disjunctive Identity Theory: Mental states are identical to physical states of the brain. To be in pain is to either be a human and to have C-fibers firing or to be a squid and to have D-fibers firing or to be an Orkan and to have activity in silicon chip E or…

7 Summary The Problem of Interspecies Multiple Realization  The Relativized Identity Theory  The Disjunctive Identity Theory The Problem of Intraspecies Multiple Realization

8 Preview In the previous chapter we noticed that mental states can be multiply realized. In humans the state which realizes pain is (say) c-fiber firing; in squid it’s (say) d-fiber firing. Multiple realization raises a puzzle: what do old Eight-legs and I have in common when we are both in pain? It can’t be c-fiber firing because Eight-legs has no c-fibers (or so I will assume). And it can’t be d-fiber firing because Eight-legs has no c-fibers (or so I will assume). And it can’t be d-fiber firing because I have no d-fibers (or so I will assume). In virtue of what, then, is it true that Eight-legs and I are both in pain? Functionalism provides an answer to this puzzle. Ravenscroft, p.50.


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