Single Idea 7061

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / A. Mind-Body Dualism / 7. Zombies]

Full Idea

Philosophers' zombies (invented by Robert Kirk) differ from the zombies of folklore; they are intended to make clear the idea that consciousness is an addition of being, something 'over and above' the physical world.

Clarification

A zombie is a human that lacks consciousness

Gist of Idea

Philosophers' zombies aim to show consciousness is over and above the physical world

Source

John Heil (From an Ontological Point of View [2003], 20.1 n1)

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'From an Ontological Point of View' [OUP 2005], p.241


A Reaction

The famous defender of zombies is David Chalmers. You can't believe in zombies if you believe (as I do) that 'the physical entails the mental'. Could there be redness without something that is red? If consciousness is extra, what is conscious?