Single Idea 2426

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 5. Unity of Mind]

Full Idea

The 'grain problem' for materialism was raised by Sellars: how could an experience be identical with a vast collection of physiological events, given the homogeneity of the former, and the fine-grainedness of the latter?

Clarification

'Homogeneity' is a smooth seamless quality

Gist of Idea

Why are minds homogeneous and brains fine-grained?

Source

David J.Chalmers (The Conscious Mind [1996], 3.8.5)

Book Reference

Chalmers,David J.: 'The Conscious Mind' [OUP 1997], p.306


A Reaction

An interesting question, but it doesn't sound like a huge problem, given the number of connections in the brain. If the brain were expanded (as Leibniz suggested), the 'grains' might start to appear. We can't propose a 'deceived homunculus' to solve it.