The Causal Between Physical And Mental - 1629 Words

Our entire existence, both physical and mental are based on causally-connected events (Mackie, 1974). A causality is assumed when two contiguous events generate an effect. It is when a cause gives rise to an effect, a relationship between the two events is presumed as all events must occur through causes. Searching for a cause provides an explanation and an understanding of why events occur (Salmon, 1984). We are continually seeking a cause for physical events, in order to make sense of them. Understanding the causal relations between events has its advantages; allowing us to plan actions to achieve goals. It prompts us to behave in a way we expect to get our desired outcome. The underlying mechanism of causal inferences is unclear, some suggest it is embedded in our cognition (Sloman 2005), whilst others believe causality is all an illusion caused by visual perception (Mitchotte, 1945). Hume’s (1739) regularity theory of causation began the debate of physical events and mental inferences. Hume reasoned that if we perceive a causal relationship between two events, then one will be a cause which in turn will lead the other; the event. These connections are known as prioritistic rationalism, as Hume quoted â€Å"By experience only that we can infer the existence of one object from that of another†. Causal relationships are based on three factors; resemblance, contiguity and causality. The cause and effect of an event is governed by physics, for example; a ball striking intoShow MoreRelatedThe s Theory Of Biological Naturalism937 Words   |  4 Pagespaper I analyze the statement, â€Å"To me, the forest looks a deep shade of green,† from a functionalist perspective, and discuss how it provides a sufficient and an insufficient account of conscious mental phenomena. Functionalism claims that mental states are nothing but functional, causal relations between elements in the brain, such as beliefs and desires, and the external world. First, I analyze the given statement from a functionalist stance. Then, I discuss possible objections to functionalismRead MoreIn The Philosophy Of Mind, One Of The Most Prominent Philosophical955 Words   |  4 Pages by itself, is the theory that reality consists of only one kind of substance. Likewise, Anomalous Monism theorized and developed by Donald Davidson in his work, Mental Events, proposes that reality consists of one kind of substance, namely, physical substance. That is, according to Davidson, all mental events are a part of the physical realm. Furthermore, Anomalous Monism, also known as the token-identity theory, is Davidson’s attempt to rectify the problem of the mind-body relationship – whichRead MoreThe History Monism : Theory That Attempts And Explain The Mind : Body Dualist View911 Words   |  4 Pagesaddresses. Firstly that mental events and interactions produce physical events. Secondly, that mental events do not abide by physical laws or guidelines. We will look at Davidson’s theory in detail as well as explore his defensive arguments throughout the course of this paper. Anomalous monism claims three specific things which it uses to describe the mind – body problem, as well as separate itself from other theories. They are as follows: mental events cause physical ones, causal interactions can beRead MoreKim V. Searle832 Words   |  4 Pagesset of facts (materially closed universe, constant physical laws) Jaegwon Kim’s view on mental causation is radically different from Searle’s, because they approach the issue from different philosophical perspectives. Neither is wrong, if you reason using their principles. Neither is right, if you reason using the opposing principles. Kim’s principles are this: mental states are macrostates (which may be multiply realized), supervenient on physical microstates. This supervenience can be seen as aRead MoreThe Article Epiphenomenal And Supervenient Causation1183 Words   |  5 Pagesaccount for mental causation. He argues three main claims: that macro causation should be viewed as epiphenomenal causation, that macro causation as epiphenomenal causation should be explained as â€Å"supervenient causation†, and that psychological causation involving psychological events is plausibly assimilated to macro causation. (pg. 259). His claims attempt to resolve the puzzle of how psychological causal relations belong within a physically closed causal system. The Physically Closed Causal SystemRead MorePhilosophy: Descartes Views on the Differentiation Between the Mind and the Body 897 Words   |  4 PagesDescartes views on the differentiation between the mind and the body has given rise to much thought regar ding the interaction between these supposedly distinct substances. Through examining correlations between Princess Elizabeth of Bohemia it is evident that Descartes himself struggled to plausibly identify the interaction among the mental and material in relation to causation. This essay will investigate Elizabeth’s quires into the causational relationship between the mind and body by explaining andRead MoreA Relationship Between Physical Properties And Mental Properties1399 Words   |  6 PagesThe relationship between the physical and the mental is an issue that philosophers have pondered for centuries, and this issue still remains relevant today. In the attempt to determine the relationship between physical properties and mental properties two schools of thoughts emerged: Monism and Dualism. People who subscribe to monism believe physical properties, such as color and location, as well as mental properties, such as emotions and beliefs, are all one entity. Materialisms, th e most popularRead MoreThe Three Concepts Of Donald Davidsons Anomalous Monism1359 Words   |  6 PagesDavidson’s Mental Events, challenges how we discuss mind-body interactions. The thesis presented by Davidson, is that of Anomalous Monism, which attempts to answer the causality of mental and physical events. Differing from forms of the more common Dualism, Davidson accepts monism as the best way to describe the mind-body relationship. Meaning he accepts token identity and rejects type-identity. Davidson’s argument consists of three key principles. The first being the Principle of Causal InteractionRead MoreThe Theory And Identity Theory, And Deal With The Multiple Realisability Argument1690 Words   |  7 Pagesand the brain are identical, as the mind exists only as a property of the brain. David Lewis and D.M Armstrong give support for the causal relationship between mind and brain states in the form of the identity theory, and deal with the multiple realisabili ty argument provided by Hillary Putman. Gottlob Frege provides his support for materialism by showing that mental states are determined by the function of the brain, while discounting Thomas Nagel’s argument which proposes the idea of Qualia. BothRead MoreUsing Material From Smart And Armstrong1378 Words   |  6 Pageswill attempt first, explain what â€Å"Mental states are identical to physical brain states† means in philosophical context. Second, I will explain the motivations of the type-identity thesis (Occam s Razor, and explanation of the casual efficiency of mental states) using material from Smart and Armstrong. Third, I will go onto examining type-identity thesis merits (how it solves Descartes problem of mind and body and how it allows us to derive the casual role of mental phenomena) and drawbacks (violation