Single Idea 6542

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

Full Idea

Quite possibly a Martian's humanoid behaviour is prompted by his having sensations somewhat unlike ours, despite his superficial behavioural similarities to us.

Gist of Idea

A Martian may exhibit human-like behaviour while having very different sensations

Source

William Lycan (Consciousness [1987], 5.4)

Book Reference

Lycan,William G.: 'Consciousness' [MIT 1995], p.57


A Reaction

I think this firmly refutes the multiple realisability objection to type-type physicalism. Mental events are individuated by their phenomenal features (known only to the user), and by their causal role (publicly available). These are separate.