Philosophy 244/244W/444

Philosophy of Mind

Fall 2006

Study Guide for the Second Examination

In what follows, “PEE” is an abbreviation for “Present, Explain, and Evaluate”. See the Study Guide for the First Examination for the distinction between presenting theories and presenting arguments.

1. Present Type Materialism. PEE the Multiple Realizability Objection to Type Materialism. Be sure to explain the term “multiply realizable”.

2. Present Functionalism. (Hint: your answer should begin “Functionalism is the view that every mental property is identical with some functional property.” Then you should explain what a functional property is.)

3. Define or otherwise explain the terms “qualitative mental state” and “qualia”. Give examples, and contrast qualitative with non-qualitative mental states.

4. What does it mean to say that one person has qualia that are inverted relative to another person’s qualia? Describe a case in which inverted qualia might occur (e.g., inverting lenses). PEE the Inverted Qualia Objection to Functionalism. In your evaluation, consider how a functionalist might reply by “redefining” what count as inputs and outputs. Be clear about which premise is being criticized. Critically evaluate this response.

5. Describe Block’s “China-headed system.” PEE the Absent Qualia Objection to Functionalism. In your evaluation, present (at least) the “speed response”.

6. Describe an example in which two creatures have different “inputs and outputs” but seem to have some mental properties in common. PEE the Input and Output Objection to Functionalism. Consider replies. Explain the terms “chauvinism” and “liberalism”, as Block defines them. Discuss whether Functionalism can avoid both.

7. Present Minimal Materialism. Explain how it differs from Type Materialism and Functionalism.

8. PEE the Zombie Argument against Minimal Materialism.

9. Describe the case of Mary, the neuroscientist in the black-and-white room. Describe the sort of knowledge about sensations of red that Jackson says that she lacks. PEE Jackson’s Knowledge Argument against Minimal Materialism. In your evaluation, present the “Abilities Reply” to the Knowledge Argument. Be clear about which premise of the Argument the Abilities Reply is denying. Critically evaluate the Abilities Reply. Present the “Two concepts” reply given in class.

10. Define or otherwise explain the terms ‘intentionality’ and ‘intentional mental state’. Give examples of the latter.

11. Present Strong AI, as Searle defines it. Describe Searle’s Chinese room. PEE Searle’s Chinese Room Argument against Strong AI. In your evaluation, present the (first) Systems Reply to the argument, being sure to say which premise is being denied. Present Searle’s responses to the Systems Reply. Present a reply to Searle’s reply. (Hint: There are two systems in Searle, the Chinese one and the other....) Discuss the following question: if Searle’s argument is sound, does it show that thinking in human beings does not involve computation? Does it show that no computer (built along the same lines as current computers) could think?

12. Give examples of propositional attitudes. State what the contents of those propositional attitudes are. Give examples of intentional mental properties and propositional attitude properties.

13. Explain the terms ‘intrinsic property’ and ‘extrinsic property’. Give uncontroversial examples of each. Present Externalism About Belief Properties.

14. Twin Earth cases: Describe an example in which (according to some philosophers) there are two people who are duplicates (have all intrinsic physical properties in common), but who have different belief properties. Give an example in which the duplicates (e.g., Ed and Twed) have beliefs about different cities (Rochester and Twochester) and different people (Edna and Twedna). Be sure to give all of the relevant details of the example. Give an example in which the duplicates (allegedly) have different beliefs because of a difference in their physical environments (Putnam’s H₂O/XYZ case) and one in which the relevant difference is in the meanings of certain words in the duplicates’ societies (Burges arthritis/tharthritis case).

15. PEE an argument that uses a Twin Earth case to conclude that Externalism About Belief Properties is true (or that Internalism About Belief Properties is false).

16. Present Strong AI and Intrinsic Type Materialism. For each theory, PEE an argument that uses a Twin Earth example to show that the theory is false.

17. Present Representationism (about qualia). Present Strong Externalism about Experiences’ Content. Present Externalist Representationism (ER).

18. PEE the Swampman Argument against ER.

19. PEE the Inverted Qualia Argument against ER.

20. PEE the Inverted Earth Argument against ER.