Level 55
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Epistemology and Philosophy of Mind

Philosophy of Mind and the Mind-Body Problem

The central metaphysical question of how mental states relate to the physical brain, and the major positions — dualism, behaviorism, identity theory, functionalism, and their rivals — that have shaped the modern debate.

60-Second Review

Express review

A condensed, point-by-point summary of the module, for reviewing right before a test or exam.

  1. Cartesian Dualism and Its Interaction Problem. Descartes split mind and body into two substances, then struggled to explain how they interact.
  2. Behaviorism: Ryle's Critique of the "Ghost in the Machine". Ryle attacked Cartesian dualism as a category mistake, reducing mind to dispositions to behave.
  3. Identity Theory and the Mind as Brain States. The identity theory holds mental states simply are brain states, discovered empirically like water is H2O.
  4. Functionalism and the Computational Theory of Mind. Functionalism defines mental states by their causal role, not their physical substrate, likening minds to software.
  5. Property Dualism and the Explanatory Gap. Property dualists accept a physical brain but hold consciousness involves irreducible non-physical properties.
  6. Eliminative Materialism and the Rejection of Folk Psychology. Eliminativists argue everyday mental concepts like belief and desire are a false theory destined for revision.
  7. Searle's Chinese Room and the Limits of Computation. Searle argued a system can manipulate symbols correctly yet understand nothing, refuting strong AI.
  8. Panpsychism as a Contemporary Alternative. Panpsychism proposes consciousness as a basic, ubiquitous feature of matter, avoiding the hard problem's gap.

This module continues after "Skepticism from Antiquity to Descartes" in the syllabus. If you haven't reviewed it yet, it may help set the context.

Key points

Visual module map

1Cartesian Dualism and Its Interaction Problem
2Identity Theory and the Mind as Brain States
3Property Dualism and the Explanatory Gap
4Eliminative Materialism and the Rejection of Folk Psychology
5Panpsychism as a Contemporary Alternative

Alternative visual view: a simplified sequence of some of the module's key points, in their order within the syllabus.

Your module mastery

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Final test

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Optional mini-games

Extra practice, with no penalty, to reinforce the module's content.

Review Flashcards

Review each key point with cards that flip to reveal the summary.

Memory

Match each concept with its definition in as few attempts as possible.

Time Attack

Answer true or false statements before time runs out.

Chronological Order

Put the module's key points back in their original order.

Further reading

Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.

  • Descartes, R. (1641/1996). Meditations on First Philosophy, transl. J. Cottingham. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Ryle, G. (1949). The Concept of Mind. London: Hutchinson.
  • Smart, J.J.C. (1959). "Sensations and Brain Processes." The Philosophical Review, 68(2), 141–156.
  • Putnam, H. (1975). Mind, Language and Reality: Philosophical Papers, Volume 2. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Jackson, F. (1982). "Epiphenomenal Qualia." The Philosophical Quarterly, 32(127), 127–136.
  • Searle, J.R. (1980). "Minds, Brains, and Programs." Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(3), 417–424.
  • Chalmers, D.J. (1996). The Conscious Mind: In Search of a Fundamental Theory. New York: Oxford University Press.