more from William Lycan

Single Idea 6529

[catalogued under 7. Existence / E. Categories / 3. Proposed Categories]

Full Idea

I see the 'role'/'occupant' distinction as fundamental to metaphysics.

Gist of Idea

I see the 'role'/'occupant' distinction as fundamental to metaphysics

Source

William Lycan (Consciousness [1987], 4.0)

Book Reference

Lycan,William G.: 'Consciousness' [MIT 1995], p.37


A Reaction

A passing remark in a discussion of functionalism about the mind, but I find it appealing. Causation is basic to materialistic metaphysics, and it creates networks of regular causes. It leaves open the essentialist question of WHY it has that role.