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Full Idea
There are many psychophysical laws, linking sensations to non-mental features of those who have them; the industries of anaesthetics, scents, narcotics, sweeteners, coloured paints, loudspeakers and soft cushions depend on them.
Gist of Idea
There are many psychophysicals laws - about the effects of sweets, colours and soft cushions
Source
DH Mellor / T Crane (There is no question of physicalism [1990], p.198)
Book Ref
'Mind vol.XCIX 1990', ed/tr. Blackburn,Simon [OUP 1990], p.198
A Reaction
It may be expressing it a little strongly to call these 'laws', but they are certainly reliable regularities, and they are probably enough to undermine Davidson's claim that such laws don't exist.
7855 | Some suggest that materialism is empty, because 'physical' cannot be properly characterized [Mellor/Crane, by Papineau] |
6120 | Causation depends on intrinsic properties [Mellor/Crane] |
6121 | There are many psychophysicals laws - about the effects of sweets, colours and soft cushions [Mellor/Crane] |
6122 | No defences of physicalism can deprive psychology of the ontological authority of other sciences [Mellor/Crane] |