more from Jerry A. Fodor

Single Idea 2991

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 4. Connectionism]

Full Idea

With Associationism there proved to be no way to get a rational mental life to emerge from the sorts of causal relations among thoughts that the 'laws of association' recognised.

Clarification

Because it is purely mechanical

Gist of Idea

Hume's associationism offers no explanation at all of rational thought

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (Psychosemantics [1987], p. 18)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'Psychosemantics' [MIT 1993], p.18


A Reaction

This might not be true if you add the concept of evolution, which has refined the associations to generate truth (which is vital for survival).