more from Gilbert Harman

Single Idea 12601

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 5. Qualia / c. Explaining qualia]

Full Idea

According to functionalism, the way things look to you is a relational characteristic of your experience, not part of its intrinsic character.

Gist of Idea

The way things look is a relational matter, not an intrinsic matter

Source

Gilbert Harman ((Nonsolipsistic) Conceptual Role Semantics [1987], 12.3.3)

Book Reference

Harman,Gilbert: 'Reasoning Meaning and Mind' [OUP 1999], p.223


A Reaction

No, can't make sense of that. How would being in a relation determine what something is? Similar problems with the structuralist account of mathematics. If the whole family love some one cat or one dog, the only difference is intrinsic to the animal.