Full Idea
I see the 'role'/'occupant' distinction as fundamental to metaphysics.
Gist of Idea
I see the 'role'/'occupant' distinction as fundamental to metaphysics
Source
William Lycan (Consciousness [1987], 4.0)
Book Reference
Lycan,William G.: 'Consciousness' [MIT 1995], p.37
A Reaction
A passing remark in a discussion of functionalism about the mind, but I find it appealing. Causation is basic to materialistic metaphysics, and it creates networks of regular causes. It leaves open the essentialist question of WHY it has that role.