Single Idea 20971

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 2. Reduction of Mind]

Full Idea

Weak reduction of mind requires only that mental causes be identified with physical causes. A strong reduction requires also that the laws by which such causes operate follow by composition from non-special laws.

Clarification

The 'non-special' laws are the laws of physics

Gist of Idea

Weak reduction of mind is to physical causes; strong reduction is also to physical laws

Source

David Papineau (Thinking about Consciousness [2002], App 3 n8)

Book Reference

Papineau,David: 'Thinking about Consciousness' [OUP 2004], p.243


A Reaction

I'm cautious about laws, but I still vote for strong reduction. No new principles are needed to make a mind from a brain.