The mind as language: The linguistic turn in the mind–body problem
Cambridge University Press eBooks January 27, 1995 DOI: 10.1017/cbo9781139173872.009 (opens in new tab)
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AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that functionalism and reformist identity theory, despite their merits, have been criticized for physicalist sympathies, excessive concern with traditional mind-body problems, neglect of the mental in itself, and inadequate linguistic analysis of the mental and physical. The author contends that this last issue—the linguistic interpretation of the mental—is the central concern for a group of philosophers of mind. |
Abstract
THE LINGUISTIC INTERPRETATION OF THE MENTAL AND ITS VARIANTS In the preceding two chapters we pointed out the unquestionable merits as well as the limits of the proposals advanced by functionalism and by the other ‘reformist’ version of the identity theory. These proposals helped ‘liberalize’ the reflection on the mbp and orient it in new and stimulating directions. They have, however, been criticized by many philosophers of mind. The reservations expressed, more or less explicitly, about the positions of Putnam and Fodor and of Kim and Davidson can be summarized as follows: a) There are frequent signs of more or less marked sympathy toward physicalism. b) They show an excessive concern for the problems of the mind–body relationship as they are traditionally formulated. Although these problems have often received innovative answers the assumptions that underlie them have rarely been discussed adequately. c) There seems to be a certain neglect of the problems regarding the mental in itself , that is, of the referents and contents to which it refers and of the particular approaches and explanations that it (perhaps) requires. d) The figures of the physical and (most importantly) the mental have not been adequately thought through in linguistic terms. In a sense, it may be said that it is this last point which most concerns a certain group of scholars who have occupied themselves with the philosophy of mind.