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Single Idea 3427

[from 'Philosophy of Mind' by Jaegwon Kim, in 17. Mind and Body / D. Property Dualism / 1. Reductionism critique ]

Full Idea

Most antireductionist arguments focus on the unavailability of bridge laws to effect the reduction of psychological theory to physical theory (as found in reducing the gas laws to theories about molecules).

Gist of Idea

Reductionism is impossible if there aren't any 'bridge laws' between mental and physical

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Philosophy of Mind [1996], p.216)

Book Reference

Kim,Jaegwon: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Westview 1998], p.216


A Reaction

Reduction can, of course, be achieved by identity rather than by bridge laws. I would say that all that prevents us from predicting mental events from physical ones is the sheer complexity involved. Cf. predicting the detailed results of an explosion.