Single Idea 2579

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 7. Anti-Physicalism / b. Multiple realisability]

Full Idea

Physicalism is a chauvinist theory: it withholds mental properties from systems that in fact have them.

Clarification

'Chauvinist' here means prejudiced in favour of the human way of doing things

Gist of Idea

Physicalism is prejudiced in favour of our neurology, when other systems might have minds

Source

Ned Block (Troubles with Functionalism [1978], p. 71)

Book Reference

'The Philosophy of Mind', ed/tr. Beakley,B /Ludlow P [MIT 1992], p.71


A Reaction

This criticism interprets physicalism too rigidly. There may be several ways to implement a state. My own view is that other systems might implement our functions, but they won't experience them in a human way.