Single Idea 5802

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 1. Mind / d. Location of mind]

Full Idea

Representations are in the head, but their content is not; in this sense, the mind isn't in the head any more than stories (i.e. story contents) are in books.

Gist of Idea

Representations are in the head, but their content is not, as stories don't exist in their books

Source

Fred Dretske (Naturalizing the Mind [1997], §1.6)

Book Reference

Dretske,Fred: 'Naturalizing the Mind' [MIT 1997], p.38


A Reaction

This is the final consequence of Putnam's idea that meanings ain't in the head. Intentionality is an extraordinary bridge between the brain and the external world. The ontology of stories, and musical compositions, is one philosophy's deepest problems.