LECTURE 7: THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM

LECTURE OUTLINE

In today’s lecture we will:

1.1.Briefly recap Descartes theory of realityBriefly recap Descartes theory of reality

2.2.Examine an important consequence of Descartes’ theory of reality; Examine an important consequence of Descartes’ theory of reality;

The Mind-Body ProblemThe Mind-Body Problem

3.3.Analyze Descartes’ attempt at resolving the mind-body problemAnalyze Descartes’ attempt at resolving the mind-body problem

4.4.Make an attempt at understanding the significance of the mind-body Make an attempt at understanding the significance of the mind-body problemproblem

5.5.Begin our investigation into historical and contemporary attempts to Begin our investigation into historical and contemporary attempts to resolve the mind-body problemresolve the mind-body problem

RECAP

DESCARTES’ THEORY OF REALITY

Descartes’ Theory of RealityDescartes’ Theory of Reality

According to Descartes, our world is composed of two distinct According to Descartes, our world is composed of two distinct substancessubstances

Physical and Mental SubstancesPhysical and Mental Substances

Each substance exhibits the following properties:Each substance exhibits the following properties:

Substance Physical(Res Extensio)

Mental(Res Cogitans)

Essence Extension Thought

Modes Size Affirmation

Shape Denial

Location Doubt

Part Volition

Mobility Hope

THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM

THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM

Descartes’ Two Substances: Mental and PhysicalDescartes’ Two Substances: Mental and Physical

Body Mind

Brain, Neurones, Eyes, Arms etc.

Sensations, Pains, Feelings etc.

Actions, Behaviour...Desires, Hopes, Dreams...

Descartes: The Mind Can Continue to Exist Apart From

the Body

The Distinction between Mental and Physical EventsThe Distinction between Mental and Physical Events

MentalMental

PhysicalPhysical

Taste of Ice Taste of Ice CreamCream

Neurones Neurones and and

Chemicals in Chemicals in the Brainthe Brain

Experience of Experience of Seeing Seeing

something Redsomething Red

Brain Activity in Brain Activity in Response to Response to

Stimuli Stimuli

Thought About Thought About the Cow in the the Cow in the

RoadRoad

Physical and Physical and Behavioural Behavioural ResponsesResponses

The Mind-Body Problem

The Mind-Body Problem

Taste of Ice Cream

Seeing chairs

An objective view of the brain A subjective view of the mind

Remembering an old friend

Conce

ptu

al G

ap

Feeling Pain

THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM

Body Mind

Stepping on a Nail

Pain in Foot

Grabbing Candy Bar

Desire to Have Candy Bar

We know that there is a relationship between the mind and body

Taking a Tylenol

No more pain

THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM

The Physical (The Body)

Extension

Size

Shape

Location

Part

Mobility

The Mental (The Mind)

Thought

Affirmation

Denial

Doubt

Volition

Hope..

?

The Mind-Body Problem:The Mind-Body Problem:

If Mind and Brain (Body) are composed of two distinct substances, If Mind and Brain (Body) are composed of two distinct substances, howhow do we explain their causal interaction? do we explain their causal interaction?

HowHow does something non-physical and non-spatial causally interact does something non-physical and non-spatial causally interact with something completely different to itself?with something completely different to itself?

THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM

Some key questions in the philosophy of mind:Some key questions in the philosophy of mind:

oWhat, If Any, Distinction Is There Between The Mind (Mental Events) What, If Any, Distinction Is There Between The Mind (Mental Events)

And The Brain (Physical Events)?And The Brain (Physical Events)?

oAssuming Such A Distinction Exists, What Is The Relationship Assuming Such A Distinction Exists, What Is The Relationship

Between The Mind And The Brain?Between The Mind And The Brain?

oWhat Is The Ontological Status Of Mental Events?What Is The Ontological Status Of Mental Events?

oCan the problem be resolved by replacing dualist explanation with Can the problem be resolved by replacing dualist explanation with

monistic ones?monistic ones?

DESCARTES’ SOLUTION

DESCARTES’ SOLUTION

Q: How do we explain the relationship between mind and body?Q: How do we explain the relationship between mind and body?

Descartes’ Solution:Descartes’ Solution:

A: The mind and body are mediated through the A: The mind and body are mediated through the Pineal GlandPineal Gland

Why? It appears to serve no other purpose.Why? It appears to serve no other purpose.

What is wrong with Descartes solution?What is wrong with Descartes solution?

1.1.Flawed ReasoningFlawed Reasoning

Just because something appears to play no other role Just because something appears to play no other role doesn’t necessarily mean that it must play another roledoesn’t necessarily mean that it must play another role

2.2.Self-ContradictorySelf-Contradictory

a) Mental substance is distinct from physical substancesa) Mental substance is distinct from physical substancesb) Location is a property of physical substancesb) Location is a property of physical substancesc) In attributing a location to the mind, Descartes is c) In attributing a location to the mind, Descartes is

suggesting that the mind is not physical but has physical qualities?suggesting that the mind is not physical but has physical qualities?

HOW DO WE RESOLVE THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM?

What should we do with substance dualism?What should we do with substance dualism?

We want to know what the relationship is between the mind and the We want to know what the relationship is between the mind and the

brainbrain

o Is substance dualism worth saving?Is substance dualism worth saving?

o Can it be fixed?Can it be fixed?

o Or, should we just abandon it?Or, should we just abandon it?

o If we abandon it, what alternatives do we have?If we abandon it, what alternatives do we have?

o What are the consequences of these alternatives?What are the consequences of these alternatives?

RESOLVING THE PROBLEM

RESOLVING THE PROBLEM

Why does the mind-body problem endure?Why does the mind-body problem endure?

a)a)In our experience it appears that the mind and body are distinctIn our experience it appears that the mind and body are distinct

b)b)Mind-matter dualism appears to coincide with our common-sense Mind-matter dualism appears to coincide with our common-sense intuitionintuition

c)c)Thoughts, feelings, etc. are wholly private (unlike brain processes)Thoughts, feelings, etc. are wholly private (unlike brain processes)

d)d)Traditionally there is a great deal of resistance to the idea that our Traditionally there is a great deal of resistance to the idea that our minds work in the same way as other merely physical things.minds work in the same way as other merely physical things.

RESOLVING THE PROBLEM

Why does mind-matter dualism appear to be inappropriate?Why does mind-matter dualism appear to be inappropriate?

a)a) We know that there is a causal relationship between mind and bodyWe know that there is a causal relationship between mind and body

b)b) UnscientificUnscientific

c)c) It appears to lack a clear solutionIt appears to lack a clear solution

d)d) Too obscure and mysteriousToo obscure and mysterious

Overall dilemma

Giving up on substance dualism is difficultAND

Accepting substance dualism is difficult

ALTERNATIVES TO DUALISM

Category MistakesCategory Mistakes

I shall often speak of [the “official doctrine”] with deliberate I shall often speak of [the “official doctrine”] with deliberate

abusiveness, as “the dogma of the Ghost in the Machine.” . . . It is abusiveness, as “the dogma of the Ghost in the Machine.” . . . It is

not merely an assemblage of particular mistakes. It is one big not merely an assemblage of particular mistakes. It is one big

mistake and a mistake of a special kind. It is, namely, a category mistake and a mistake of a special kind. It is, namely, a category

mistake. It represents the facts of mental life as if they belonged to mistake. It represents the facts of mental life as if they belonged to

one logical type or category (or range of types of categories), when one logical type or category (or range of types of categories), when

they actually belong to another. The dogma is therefore a they actually belong to another. The dogma is therefore a

philosopher’s myth.philosopher’s myth.

(Textbook, p. 101)(Textbook, p. 101)

RYLE’S ATTACK

RYLE’S ATTACK

Category MistakesCategory Mistakes

RYLE’S ATTACK

Bowler

Batters

Wicket Keeper

Umpire

Fielders

Category MistakesCategory Mistakes

RYLE’S ATTACK

Ryle attacks the mind-body problem itself on the following grounds:Ryle attacks the mind-body problem itself on the following grounds:

oCategory mistakes occur when we take a term or concept that belongs Category mistakes occur when we take a term or concept that belongs in one category, and mistakenly place it in another inappropriate in one category, and mistakenly place it in another inappropriate categorycategory

oAnyone attempting to talk about mental states as particular Anyone attempting to talk about mental states as particular things things is is making a category-mistakemaking a category-mistake

oThe mind-body problem is therefore invalid because it rests on a The mind-body problem is therefore invalid because it rests on a category mistakecategory mistake

oRyle does not deny that minds may exist, but denies that they can be Ryle does not deny that minds may exist, but denies that they can be described in the same way we describe physical things (trees, actions, described in the same way we describe physical things (trees, actions, chairs etc.)chairs etc.)

oRyle’s objection is primarily logical, not ontological.Ryle’s objection is primarily logical, not ontological.

RYLE’S ATTACK

Ryle’s SolutionRyle’s Solution

We do not need to use We do not need to use mentalese mentalese (mental language) to explain human (mental language) to explain human actionsactions

Instead we can adequately describe, evaluate, explain and account for Instead we can adequately describe, evaluate, explain and account for human actions by appealing to dispositions, behaviour, etc.human actions by appealing to dispositions, behaviour, etc.

Consider how you would describe someone who is:Consider how you would describe someone who is:

oThinkingThinkingoIn loveIn loveoHappyHappyoSadSadoIn painIn painoIn a bad moodIn a bad moodoCarrying out mathematical equationsCarrying out mathematical equations

Can all human activities be described in terms of behaviour?Can all human activities be described in terms of behaviour?

Are there any human activities that we Are there any human activities that we must must use use mentalesementalese language to language to explain?explain?