Single Idea 6122

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 7. Anti-Physicalism / a. Physicalism critique]

Full Idea

Neither laws nor causation nor claims of supervenience (the last refuge of the physicalist) deprive psychology of the ontological authority of non-mental science.

Gist of Idea

No defences of physicalism can deprive psychology of the ontological authority of other sciences

Source

DH Mellor / T Crane (There is no question of physicalism [1990], p.203)

Book Reference

'Mind vol.XCIX 1990', ed/tr. Blackburn,Simon [OUP 1990], p.203


A Reaction

There is no need to defend the practice of psychologists (or garden designers) from the depradations of bandit physicalists. But what is the ontology of psychology if it isn't dualist or physicalist?