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Single Idea 3419

[from 'Philosophy of Mind' by Jaegwon Kim, in 18. Thought / C. Content / 7. Narrow Content ]

Full Idea

No external factors seem to be required for Fred's belief that he is in pain, or that he exists, or that there are no unicorns.

Gist of Idea

Pain, our own existence, and negative existentials, are not external

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Philosophy of Mind [1996], p.198)

Book Reference

Kim,Jaegwon: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Westview 1998], p.198


A Reaction

This is an extremely important observation for anyone who was getting over-excited about external accounts of content. Unicorns might connect externally to horns and horses.