Single Idea 5339

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / D. Property Dualism / 2. Anomalous Monism]

Full Idea

Although everyone thinks cars and bodies obey the principles of causation, no one thinks it a deficiency that we don't know strict laws of automechanics or anatomy.

Gist of Idea

Cars and bodies obey principles of causation, without us knowing any 'strict laws' about them

Source

Owen Flanagan (The Problem of the Soul [2002], p. 65)

Book Reference

Flanagan,Owen: 'The Problem of the Soul' [Basic Books 2003], p.65


A Reaction

This attacks Davidson's claim that there are no strict psycho-physical laws, and I agree with Flanagan. Huge dreams of free will and human dignity are being pinned on the flimsy point that we have no strict laws here. But brains are very complicated.