Full Idea
Phenomenal objects and properties are no more needed to explain the workings of our mind than are angels needed to explain the motion of the planets.
Gist of Idea
Are qualia irrelevant to explaining the mind?
Source
Georges Rey (Contemporary Philosophy of Mind [1997], 11.6.1)
Book Reference
Rey,Georges: 'Contemporary Philosophy of Mind' [Blackwell 1997], p.307
A Reaction
The question would be whether 'phenomenal properties' contained unique information, which could therefore influence behaviour. It is also a matter of exactly what you are trying to explain.