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Language and Mind Seminar – Savvas Ioannou:Intuition of Mind-Brain Distinctness: Why Do We Have It?

2nd October 2018 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

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Abstract: Papineau noticed that even though we have good arguments against dualism about phenomenal properties, we still have a persistent intuition that our mind and our brain are distinct entities. He claimed that this intuition is caused by an antipathetic fallacy (caused by the difference between physical and phenomenal concepts), and as a result, we shouldn’t consider it as a reason to be sceptical about physicalism. Instead, I will argue that the antipathetic fallacy is not sufficient to explain our intuition as we can conceive that some physicalist aliens do not have an intuition of distinctness, even though they have similar phenomenal and physical concepts. I will also argue that this intuition is an example of a more general phenomenon. We may be disposed to give non-physical explanations of phenomena that cannot be (completely) explained in physical terms at the moment. This may be the result of both our nature (evolutionary influences) and nurture (culture, history, religion). Also, I will argue against other explanations of the intuition of distinctness (Melnyk). Last, I will consider whether our dualist intuitions have implications for the conceivability argument (Chalmers).

There is no need to do any reading before the talk. If someone wants to read something relevant, a good place to start is Papineau, D. (1993). Physicalism, consciousness and the antipathetic fallacy. Australasian Journal of Philosophy71(2), 169-183.

Details

Date:
2nd October 2018
Time:
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Venue

Edgecliffe G03