Take Home Exam Philosophy of Mind (3 Pages minimum, Single Spaced, 12 pt font)

3/7/171Introduction to PhilosophyPhilosophy of Mind 2Possible Views on the RelationMind-Body•Views on the relation between mind and body vary:-Do inner states exist at all? No: logical behaviorism-Do inner states play a role in explanations? No: methodological behaviorism-Are inner states different from bodily states? No: identity theory-Are inner states completely different from bodily states? No: functionalism-Ye s : dualism•We will first discuss dualism, then logical behavorism, then methodological behaviorism, then identity theory, and finally functionalism.Dualism•Dualism is the view that mind and body are two completely different things: two different substances.•Dualism mayimply that the mind/soul can exist separately from the body, but it is not a necessary component of dualism; on the other hand, if you believe that the mind/soul can exist independently from any body, you must be a dualist.•Dualism does justice to our intuition that our inner states are not connected to a specific part of the body, but are somehow ‘everywhere and nowhere’.•Dualism has real problems with the causal interaction between mind and body.Arguments for Dualism I•Descartes’ Indubitable Existence Argument:(1)The existence of inner states/mind cannot be doubted.(2)The existence of the body can be doubted (dream scenario).(3)Therefore the mind and the body have not all the same properties.(4)Therefore the mind and the body are two really different things. 3/7/172Problems with the First Argument•Here is a parallel argument:(1)That the morning star = the morning star cannot be doubted.(2)That the evening star = the morning star can be doubted.(3)Therefore the morning star and the evening star do not have all the same properties.(4)Therefore the morning star is really different from the evening star.(5)But as a matter of fact, the morning star = Venus = the evening star!Problems with the First Argument II•For normalproperties the argument is valid:(1)X has property F(2)Y does not have property F(3)Therefore X and Y do not all have the same properties.(4)Therefore X ≠ Y•However, ‘Having doubtable existence’ or ‘being doubtablyidentical to …’ are not normal properties> ‘doubtably’ and other terms referring to ways of being aboutsomethingdo not make for normal propertiesA similar case(1)I want to eat ice-creams every day.(2)Eating ice-creams every day = eating a lot of sugar every day.(3)Therefore I want to eat a lot of sugar every day.ØThis does not follow, because you may not be aware of (2).ØSo you may have a desire aboutx, and x = y, without having a desire about y.•States which are aboutsome things are called intensionalstates or propositional attitudes> like knowing, believing, desiring, disliking, wanting, doubting etc.