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Single Idea 20970

[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 10. Closure of Physics ]

Full Idea

We can accept determinism without accepting physical determinism, and so without accepting the completeness of physics. ...We can have a deterministic model in which sui generis mental forces play an essential role.

Clarification

'sui generis' means of their own type - not reducible

Gist of Idea

Determinism is possible without a complete physics, if mental forces play a role

Source

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

Book Ref

Papineau,David: 'Thinking about Consciousness' [OUP 2004], p.240


A Reaction

Papineau cites (on p.241) the 18th century biologist Robert Whytt as an example of this view.


The 4 ideas with the same theme [laws of physics can give a complete account of everything]:

Leibniz had an unusual commitment to the causal completeness of physics [Leibniz, by Papineau]
Modern biological research, especially into the cell, has revealed no special new natural forces [Papineau]
Determinism is possible without a complete physics, if mental forces play a role [Papineau]
The completeness of physics cannot be proved [Papineau]