Single Idea 23797

[catalogued under 18. Thought / C. Content / 10. Causal Semantics]

Full Idea

A simple causal theory of content has the 'content indeterminacy' problem - that the presence of a cow causes 'a cow is present', but also 'an animal is present' and 'a biological organism is present'.

Gist of Idea

Cause won't explain content, because one cause can produce several contents

Source

Peter Schulte (Mental Content [2023], 4.1)

Book Reference

Schulte,Peter: 'Mental Content' [CUP 2023], p.22


A Reaction

That only rules out the 'simple' version. We just need to add that the cause (cow experience) is shaped by current knowledge and interests. Someone buying cows and someone terrified of them thereby produce different concepts.