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Single Idea 7443

[from 'Mad Pain and Martian Pain' by David Lewis, in 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 7. Anti-Physicalism / b. Multiple realisability ]

Full Idea

To pass our test it seems that our theory will have to be a 'mixed' theory, to account for the Madman (whose pain has odd causes, and odd effects) and also for the Martian (who has normal causes and effects, but an odd physical state).

Gist of Idea

A theory must be mixed, to cover qualia without behaviour, and behaviour without qualia

Source

report of David Lewis (Mad Pain and Martian Pain [1980], §II) by PG - Db (ideas)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Philosophical Papers Vol.1' [OUP 1983], p.123


A Reaction

A statement that 'pain' is ambiguous (qualia/causal role) would help a lot here. Martians have the causal role but no qualia, and the madman has the qualia but lacks the causal role. I say lots of different qualia might have the same causal role.