Single Idea 4609

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 3. Eliminativism]

Full Idea

Some have argued that eliminativism about propositional attitudes is self-refuting. If no one believes anything, then how could we believe the eliminativist thesis?

Gist of Idea

It seems contradictory to be asked to believe that we can be eliminativist about beliefs

Source

John Heil (Philosophy of Mind [1998], Ch.5)

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Routledge 1998], p.170


A Reaction

Sounds slick, but it doesn't strike me as a big problem. Presumably you don't 'believe' eliminativism. You treat some of your brain processes as if they fell into the fictional category of 'belief'.