Down the road of Philosophy of Mind: Philosophy Forums

Down the road of Philosophy of Mind

Aetixintro
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Posted 04/17/09 - 01:57 AM: Subject: Down the road of Philosophy of Mind	#1
Thanks for the effort, DC. What lies down the road in Phil. of Mind (PoM) in light of empirical findings? I find that the various theories of PoM are useful comments to my favourite theory. How do you see the possible reinforcements of theories? Are the mainstream theories equally strong? Do you think there is a chance of any decisive finding in this century? Thanks again!
Efficacy of "for since it is at present manifest to me that even bodies are not properly known by the senses nor by the faculty of imagination, but by the understanding alone" - Descartes, Meditation II I'm always wanting more, Anything I haven't got, Everything, I want it all, I just can't stop - The Cure, Want

davidchalmers
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Posted 05/09/09 - 08:41 PM:	#2
Well, as I said in another thread, any predictions should be taken with a grain of salt. And the answer here depends on what one takes "the mainstream theories" to be -- coarse-grained philosophical theories such as materialism/dualism/panpsychism, more specific philosophical theories such as representationalism and higher-order thought theories, or empirical theories such as global workspace theory and the like. I'm inclined to think that while empirical findings will play some role in deciding between philosophical theories, they won't be the major factor. It looks as if most empirical findings will be equally compatible with materialism and with certain forms of dualism, for example. Of course empirical findings will play a huge role in deciding between empirical theories, though. I don't really expect a single decisive empirical finding -- rather a lot of relevant findings. I suspect that we won't be in a position to draw really solid conclusions about the empirical basis of consciousness until we have much better technological tools than we have now -- e.g. some sort of noninvasive neuron-by-neuron brain imaging would help!

Aetixintro
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Posted 05/11/09 - 09:42 AM:	#3
Thanks a lot, David! It's a pleasure. I'll surely read some more of your work.
Efficacy of "for since it is at present manifest to me that even bodies are not properly known by the senses nor by the faculty of imagination, but by the understanding alone" - Descartes, Meditation II I'm always wanting more, Anything I haven't got, Everything, I want it all, I just can't stop - The Cure, Want

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