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Single Idea 3226

[from 'Contemporary Philosophy of Mind' by Georges Rey, in 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 5. Qualia / c. Explaining qualia ]

Full Idea

Phenomenal objects and properties are no more needed to explain the workings of our mind than are angels needed to explain the motion of the planets.

Gist of Idea

Are qualia irrelevant to explaining the mind?

Source

Georges Rey (Contemporary Philosophy of Mind [1997], 11.6.1)

Book Reference

Rey,Georges: 'Contemporary Philosophy of Mind' [Blackwell 1997], p.307


A Reaction

The question would be whether 'phenomenal properties' contained unique information, which could therefore influence behaviour. It is also a matter of exactly what you are trying to explain.