Philosophy and Psychology L2: Identity Theory, Type-Identity Theory, Token Identity Theory, Multiple realizability, Functionalism, Chalmers

Identity theory states that mental states are identical to brain states.

Identity theory states that mental states are identical to brain states.

- consciousness (is/ is not) the same process as brain processes

- consciousness (is/is not) material

Research shows that the mind is manipulated when the brain is manipulated. This supports

A) psychological behaviorism

B) philosophical behaviorism

C) Identity Theory

mentalistic language describes the way we talk about ourselves and others about what we think, feel and want

Identity theory: mentalistic language (is/ is not) topic neutral

- talking about thoughts and feelings (is/ is not) to make theoretical claims about the existence of immaterial units

- mentalistic language (is/ is not) neutral as far as the material or immaterial origin of our mind is concerned

 Occam's razor  = entities should not be multiplied without necessity

- we are not obligated to necessarily complicate our world view

- we speak out of the mind which is due to introduction of inexplicable immaterial entities

What is right?

1. Identity theory gives arguments for Cartesian dualism

2.Identity theory gives arguments for Materialism

3. Identity theory gives arguments for Cartesian dualism and Materialism

4. Identity theory does not give arguments for Cartesian dualism and Materialism

Type identity theory = every mental state of a specific type is identical with a brain state of a specific type

Your belief that Amsterdam is the capital of the NL is identical with brain state X. So, anyone who believes that Amsterdam is the capital shares a specific brain structure. This is an example of Type identity theory.

Token-identity theory = every token of a mental state-type is identical to a token of a brain state type

Not all tokens of a brain state-type are identical with tokens of the same brain state type

Thus, There is no problem with multiple realizability

Token-identity theory

- (has/ has no) problem with multiple realizabilty

- (does/ does not) say which mental states are brain states

- (does/ does not) explain how different tokens can be identical to tokens of the same neural state type

Multiple realizability = mental states can be realized by different brain states

(animals experience the same mental states as humans do, but have different brains)

This is (for/against) type-identity theory

What is type and what is token?

1. dog = type

2. my neighbour's dog = token

What is a problem for Type-Identity theory and Token identity theory?

Both theories lack explanatory power, they only state that mental states are brain states but do not contribute to how consciousness arises or functions.

Which theory replaced Identity theory? Functionalism

Functionalism

- (has/ has not) solutions to multiple realizability

- (has/ has not) solutions to explain why some brain states are mental states

In functionalism mental states are defined by

A) behavioral dispositions (philosophical behaviorism)

B) caused by the world, cause actions and other mental states (psycholgy generalized)

C) are brain states (identity theory)

D) input, output and relation to other mental states(functionalism)

- functionalism (does/ does not) combine behaviorism and identity theory

- internal mental states exist and they do play a causal role, but they (are/ are not) also related to behavior

- mental states (can/ cannot) be brain processes, but there is no type-identity because of multiple realizability

logical behaviorism= behavior is determined by brain states

If the mind consists of behavioral dispositions, the the mind is in the brain. If behavioral dispositions are brain states, then they can exist within a person and not be expressed in behavior.

A) determinism

B) functionalism

C) behaviorism

D) logical behaviorism

Aaron Beck's cognitive theory of depression:

input: 'cognitive traid' autonomic and reinforcing of negative thoughts about the self, world and the future

output :'negative self schemas' beliefs about the self that are negative and pessimistic

relation to other mental states : 'error in logic' arbitrary inference, selective abstraction, magnification and minimalization, personalization and dichotomous thinking

Is an example of functionalism in psychology.

- Identity theory: mind goes where the brain goes, if the body is left behind

- brains probably work similar to computers in their function

Thomas Nagel: 'what is it like to be a bat'

- an organism has mental states when it (does/ does not) own phenomenal consciousness

Thomas Nagel: 'what is it like to be a bat'

phenomenal consciousness (is/ is not) analyzable in terms of any explanatory sytem of functional states

Functional states can also be described to robots or automata that behave like humans, but experience nothing

Chalmer's zombie argument (is/ is not) against functionalism

Functionalism doesn't describe why we are conscious

Chalmer's zombie argument

a zombie is..

A) functionally identical to humans and has consciousness

B) functionally identical to humans and has no consciousness

C) functionally not identical to humans and has no consciousness

D) functionally not identical to humans and has consciousness

Can mental states be brain states?

Which theory answers the question

A) Identity theory (no explanation)

B) functionalism

By defining mental states in their causal role and then explaining how the brain state plays the role, we can explain why certain brain states are mental states. It is a relationship between causal role and realization.

Role realizer distinction/ (multiple realization) = the same causal role can be played by different realizers (different types of brain states in different types of brains)