Single Idea 7874

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 4. Other Minds / c. Knowing other minds]

Full Idea

There is debate about whether we attribute beliefs and desires to others, and predict their behaviour, by simulating the decisions we would make ourselves ('simulation-theory'), or by deducing them from some general theory ('theory-theory').

Gist of Idea

Do we understand other minds by simulation-theory, or by theory-theory?

Source

David Papineau (Thinking about Consciousness [2002], 4.7)

Book Reference

Papineau,David: 'Thinking about Consciousness' [OUP 2004], p.115


A Reaction

Could be both. If someone is hurt, empathy leads to direct mind-reading (which seems like simulation), but if someone is behaving strangely we may have to bring theories to bear, because this person seems to be different.