What does it mean to say that brain states and processes are identical with the mental states and processes? Mention four objections to this theory along with Smart’s reply to the same.
The brain-mind identity theory (also known as physicalism) claims that the mental states and processes are identical to the processes and states of the brain. This does not, however, imply that the mind is the brain or vice versa. For instance, in saying that ‘Tom has a good mind’, we are not referring to his brain and claiming that ‘Tom has a good brain’. Thus, we are not saying that the mind and brain are the same but are identical in their states and processes. The brain-mind identity theory (hereon called ‘identity theory) does not merely claim that the brain states and processes are correlated to the mind states and processes but that the mental states are the brain states and so for the processes. This article is divided into three parts: Part 1 talks about the psychoneural correlations and how the identity theory is the best explanation for the …show more content…
The Normal Percepient: He introduces the idea of a normal percepient and says that A is more of a normal percepient than B if he pick out a lettuce leaf from cabbage bundle and B cannot even though B can pick it out of a betroot pack. Thus, A has higher level of color discrimination. But A can be trained to say, 'This is red' without knowing what normal percepient or objects of red are. Thus, it is only a matter of training a person to identify the qualities.
2. A person can know the meaning of 'red' without knowing or being able to recognize objects of red: like- red is the color of the sun on a warm afternoon or that red is this
The brain-mind identity theory (also known as physicalism) claims that the mental states and processes are identical to the processes and states of the brain. This does not, however, imply that the mind is the brain or vice versa. For instance, in saying that ‘Tom has a good mind’, we are not referring to his brain and claiming that ‘Tom has a good brain’. Thus, we are not saying that the mind and brain are the same but are identical in their states and processes. The brain-mind identity theory (hereon called ‘identity theory) does not merely claim that the brain states and processes are correlated to the mind states and processes but that the mental states are the brain states and so for the processes. This article is divided into three parts: Part 1 talks about the psychoneural correlations and how the identity theory is the best explanation for the …show more content…
The Normal Percepient: He introduces the idea of a normal percepient and says that A is more of a normal percepient than B if he pick out a lettuce leaf from cabbage bundle and B cannot even though B can pick it out of a betroot pack. Thus, A has higher level of color discrimination. But A can be trained to say, 'This is red' without knowing what normal percepient or objects of red are. Thus, it is only a matter of training a person to identify the qualities.
2. A person can know the meaning of 'red' without knowing or being able to recognize objects of red: like- red is the color of the sun on a warm afternoon or that red is this