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  1. Jan 2018
  2. sakai.stlawu.edu sakai.stlawu.edu
    An Argument for the Identity Theory
    3
    1. HarrisonMullen 25 Jan 2018
      I rely on Oppenheim and Putnam for a detailed exposition of the hypothesis that we may hope to find such a unified physicalistic body of scientific theory and for a presentation of evidence that the hypothesis is credible.

      I have a couple questions concerning this last passage. First, it seems that we have to have one of two options. The first is to accept this view, with substantial credited backing, or, choose to believe that our natural sciences are greatly flawed and we have failed to account for this other stuff. Now, my question is, is there any evidence throughout history that this "other stuff" as ever existed? Or if there has ever been any evidence that suggests otherwise?

      Confused
    2. HarrisonMullen 25 Jan 2018
      We can be content rather merely to identify the experience as that state which is typically caused in thus-and-such ways and typically causes thus-and-such effects, saying nothing about its causes and effects in a (small) residue of exceptional cases.

      As a large overarching theme, this makes sense, however, to me, it would be a mistake not to thoroughly investigate some of these exceptional cases he mentions. While these cases might not be explicable, there is undoubtedly some underlying factor at play.

      question
    3. HarrisonMullen 25 Jan 2018
      So it is pointless to exhibit various discrepancies between what is true of experiences as such and what is true of neural states as such. We can explain those discrepancies without denying psycho- physical identity and without admitting that it is somehow identity of a defective sort.

      This seems to be a significant clarification and claim. By making it very clear that a specific experience does not dictate a specific neural state and vise versa, he protects his argument from all objections that point out the individual difference between all humans activation patterns and neural circuits.

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    sakai.stlawu.edu/access/content/group/PHIL-350-01-SP18/Lewis - 1966 - An Argument for the Identity Theory.pdf
  3. sakai.stlawu.edu sakai.stlawu.edu
    Sensations and Brain Processes
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    sakai.stlawu.edu/access/content/group/PHIL-350-01-SP18/Smart_1959_Sensations and Brain Processes.pdf