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PHYSICALISM COULD BE TRUE EVEN IF MARY LEARNS SOMETHING NEW.

Authors :
Montero, Barbara
Source :
Philosophical Quarterly. Apr2007, Vol. 57 Issue 227, p176-189. 14p.
Publication Year :
2007

Abstract

Mary knows all there is to know about physics, chemistry and neurophysiology, yet has never experienced colour. Most philosophers think that if Mary learns something genuinely new upon seeing colour for the first time, then physicalism is false. I argue, however, that physicalism is consistent with Mary's acquisition of new information. Indeed, even if she has perfect powers of deduction, and higher-level physical facts are a priori deducible from lower-level ones, Mary may still lack concepts which are required in order to deduce from the lower-level physical facts what it is like to see red. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00318094
Volume :
57
Issue :
227
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Philosophical Quarterly
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
24165494
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9213.2007.478.x