The metaphysics of mind: an overview

Michael Lacewingenquiries@alevelphilosophy.c

o.uk

Metaphysics

• What is the fundamental nature of reality?– Ontology: What exists?– What is the nature of what exists?

• What is the mind or mental properties?

• Start with substance and properties

Substance and properties

• A substance is an entity, a thing, that does not depend on another entity for its continued existence. – It has ‘ontological independence’.

• Substances are what possess properties.

• Properties can’t exist without substances – They depend on substances to exist.

• Substances persist through changes in properties.

Substance dualism

• Is the mind a substance? Does it depend on the body in order to exist?

• Dualism: there are two sorts of substance, mind (or soul) and matter– Minds can exist independent of bodies– Mental properties are properties of a mental

substance

Monisms

• Idealism: minds are the only kind of substance– Whatever exists is either a mind or depends

on a mind • Materialism: matter is the only kind of

substance– Physicalism: replace ‘matter’ by ‘physical

substance’ in light of recent physics– Mental properties, e.g. beliefs, pains, are

properties of a physical substance

What are mental properties?

• Assuming that the only substance is physical substance, are mental properties types of physical property?

• Type identity theory: yes, mental properties just are physical properties– E.g. Thinking a thought is exactly the same

thing as certain neurones firing (mind-brain type identity theory)

– This is ‘reductive’ physicalism

Non-reductive physicalism

• Logical behaviourism: mental properties = dispositions to behave in particular ways

• Functionalism: mental properties should be understood in terms of inputs and outputs– They are dispositions to behave in particular

ways and have certain other mental properties, given certain inputs from the senses and certain other mental properties

• Non-reductive physicalism: mental properties aren’t identical with, but can be understood in terms of, physical properties

Property dualism

• Property dualism: mental are a completely different type of property, neither identical to, nor dependent on, physical properties– They are a new type of ‘fundamental’

property

Eliminative materialism

• There are no mental properties as we usually think of them – no thoughts, no beliefs, etc.

Flow chart

Does more than one kind of substance exist?

Two kinds of substance exist = substance dualism

One kind of substance exists= monism

Only physical substance exists = materialism

Only mind exists = idealism

Do mental properties exist?

Yes No = eliminative materialism

Are mental properties identical to physical properties?

Yes = type identity theoryNo

Are mental properties a completely new type of property that cannot be accounted for in terms of physical properties?

Yes = property dualismNo = non-reductive physicalism

Are mental properties to be understood in terms of behaviour?

Yes = logical behaviourismNo

Are mental properties to be understood in terms of functioning?

Yes = functionalism