Single Idea 7376

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 6. Inverted Qualia]

Full Idea

The goal of the experiment was to describe a case in which it was obvious that the qualia would be inverted while the reactive dispositions would be normalized. But the assumption that one could just tell is question-begging.

Gist of Idea

We can't assume that dispositions will remain normal when qualia have been inverted

Source

Daniel C. Dennett (Consciousness Explained [1991], 12.4)

Book Reference

Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Consciousness Explained' [Penguin 1993], p.397


A Reaction

It certainly seems simple and plausible that if we inverted our experience of traffic light colours, no difference in driver behaviour would be seen. However, my example, of a conversation in a gallery of abstract art, seems more problematic.

Related Idea

Idea 4107 With inverted qualia a person's experiences would change, but their beliefs remain the same [Crane]