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PHILOSOPHY OF MIND ANIL
MITRA PHD, COPYRIGHT © May 5, 2006
Main site: Journey in Being 5/5/2006 1:06 AM |
ABOUT THIS SITE
The first emphasis for this site [a satellite site to the Journey in Being website] is my work and essays in the philosophy of mind. Currently there is no attempt to provide comprehensive links or review of the field; there are, however, a few secondary links in Some Resources. The essay The Philosophy of Mind and Consciousness, 1999, also linked below, has a review of the literature with emphasis on mind-body problem for consciousness and, also, has a representative bibliography. This site may be viewed either as an independent site or as a sister site to my primary site and interest in the exploration of being by thought and action. I have long had an interest in the philosophy of mind and the recent field of consciousness studies. I have written a number of essays on mind that are philosophical in its critical and imaginative senses. Most of the essays and notes linked below are my work. I have included [links to] related topics and resources; links to other sites are included in these secondary pages. So as to avoid proliferation, links are organized in the sections starting at Essays in the Philosophy of Mind, below. RECENT
DEVELOPMENTS IN RESOLUTION OF THE
MIND-BODY PROBLEM
May 5, 2006: the latest version of Journey in Being is complete. I started work on the rewrite in October last year after return from a trip to the Trinity Alps where I had some excellent and fortunate insights into the nature of existence and of being. A central concept was that of nothingness. The idea had been percolating for a number of years but it was during the recent trip that I saw how to understand the concept: it is not and cannot be an extrapolation of the known world – sensible or conceptual – but is independent of it. For a quick introduction to the highlights see the Prologue to Journey in Being. My entire range of thought was at once broadened and set upon a secure foundation; I was able to bring together in one place my entire previous range of thought in one place. Specifically I received insight into the nature of mind, its functions and the mind-matter issue that goes far beyond what is described below [written in September 2001.] As a result of these developments, I have achieved the plans described below in a way that far exceeds my expectations and renders many of the documents out of date. For each document, I have made a note of its status and the status of its contents. Therefore, while many documents are dated they are not misleading in relation to the present state of my thought A recent exciting development – in Mind and Metaphysics, an outline essay of this writer – is a resolution approach for the mind-body problem and what is called the “hard problem” of philosophy of consciousness. These problems refer to an explanatory gap – the difficulty of explaining the existence of mind from the material nature of the body. Some writers hold that these problems, if accessible at all, are inaccessible to humans; others say that the philosophical problem is empty – the solution reduces to a series of scientific problems or dissolves in an analysis of language. What is significant here is the specific set of insights described below and detailed in Mind and Metaphysics – obviously nature itself recognizes no gap; and there is a tradition of mind/body studies. The key ideas to the present development are as follows. First, the concept of matter is incomplete – the history of ideas has not come to an end; also, it is a case or reification to hold, as is customary, that “matter” refers to some definite kind of being – and therefore explanations will be in principle; argument from the conditions of existence and of sentience is used to identify and conceptualize the aspects of the incompleteness that are essential to the discussion. Second, whereas mind is a manifestation of certain forms of matter in aggregate, descriptions of matter can yield only descriptions – descriptions of behavior, of thoughts, of conscious and other mental events and phenomena. Third, there is no “first person” description [What is it like to be an electron?] of matter, that is, we do not have access to the “viewpoint of an electron” [the use is metaphorical]. The conclusion is that explanations, deductions or computations from descriptions of matter will give rise only to descriptions of mental phenomena from the “outside”. However, we can talk metaphorically of the “viewpoint” of an electron or a neural cell and so see, from the external perspective, how mind – subjectivity, intensionality – is a manifestation of matter-in-aggregate. The result is a resolution of the classical mind body problem of philosophy which is shown to rest upon confusion of modes of description and modes of being. Further, the “hard problem” of consciousness is a form of the mind-body problem and is, therefore, dissolved. The details are in Mind and Metaphysics, linked below. One way of expressing these ideas is to refer to the problem of the mind-body problem. This problem comes about and is defined as follows. When we talk of a mind-body problem or, for consciousness, the explanatory gap or the hard problem, we are thinking that we have a definite view of the nature of matter and a definite view that mind falls in a category other than that of matter. I assert that there is no definite category that is given once and for all that falls under the label “matter.” We are encouraged by the practical, predictive, explanatory and conceptual power – and elegance – of the natural sciences to suppose that there is a definite thing – matter. This is an illusion bred by familiarity and that same success. To simplify, consider that my first, intuitive, concept of matter is that which is tangible or, more generally, accessible to the senses… and that the second, theoretical, concept of matter is the one given in the natural sciences especially in physics. Neither of these concepts is definite. There is no reason to suppose, given the history of physics, that what is given by the senses – even if that were some definite category – is completely defined by even – or especially – by the most comprehensive physical theories e.g. some rendering of quantum-gravitational formalism. This limitation applies not only to the details but the very nature of matter – think of the advance from classical to post 1905 physics. The physics of any era is the outermost boundary of our physical vision and it is, therefore, impossible to have, within that framework, any real idea of what lies or may lie beyond. Thus, not only is there a mind-body problem but there is a body-matter problem: the body is not completely or finally given to our natural and technically enhanced instruments of cognition. Little surprise or paradox, then, that there would appear to be a mind-body problem where we are in no real position to assert that such a problem exists. Further, the essays listed below, address the problem of any putative categoreal distinction between mind and matter. PLANS FOR WORK IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF MIND
1. “Write a set of Mind Words similar to other word systems” was one of the original objectives when Philosophy of Mind was established in September 2001. In the last year this has been done – the words being written down in the Trinity Alps in October 2001. The words were organized into a set of words describing or referring to theory of mind and a second set naming or describing mental experience and action. All word systems have been collected together in Words, Language, and Metaphysics. 2. Review and continue to craft the formulation of Mind and Metaphysics. Round out deficient areas of Problems of Consciousness and incorporate it in Mind and Metaphysics. Links to these essays are given below. 3. I am interested in basic and imaginative analysis in the philosophy of mind and in research in the scientific and computational aspects. This interest is secondary to my current focus in the exploration of being. However that frequently brings me back to reflection on mind – recent examples are the exciting upgrade of Mind and Metaphysics and the establishment of this site. ESSAYS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF MIND
Mind and Metaphysics 2001 – an outline for the philosophy of mind with treatment of the
roles of metaphysics and epistemology; and a new treatment of the “hard
problem of consciousness” and mind-body issues. Mind and matter are found to
be identical – different and exhaustive aspects [or ways of
seeing-experiencing] of being. 2002 update: this essay is in transition as
defined in Metaphysics and Outline of the New Metaphysics. There is a
supplement in The Fundamental Problem of Metaphysics and its Resolution
that that establishes exciting new results in metaphysics. First, the
“fundamental problem” – often taken to be the question of existence: why is
there something rather than nothing – is not given by fiat but is, rather,
established in its fundamental nature. The fundamental problem is that of
presence – literally of [the existence of] presence to and in the world. The
prototype for presence is sentient action and there is some affinity with
Heidegger’s Dasein. The elements of presence pervade the world; this requires
a generalization of the meaning of presence and, given that, is demonstrated.
The significance of philosophy of mind is that presence is refers to the
phenomenality of mind without being understood as an object. Essays in Mind and Consciousness 1996-2002 – includes longer essays with a review
[1999] of the literature. Computers, Beings, Minds 2003 – on the nature of
computers and computation. With a discussion of the potential of computers to
have the characteristics of beings and minds. Considers the role of hardware
and software. Emphasizes the role of design and of co-evolution of machine
and human. Discusses, briefly, some of the author’s work on software to
assist individuals in routine and creative research. This work is absorbed to
The
Variety of Being 2003 in which the being of machines is a special case Kinds
of Knowledge 2000-2001 – starts with
the traditional distinction of knowledge by acquaintance and by description.
Introduces a third, more fundamental, kind: knowledge by immersion. Examines
thought, language and logic. Includes a metaphysics of knowledge founded in
the foregoing considerations – addresses the questions, “What is the ultimate
nature of knowledge and its relation to being? Can the human view be
projected as a metaphysics?” Being, Mind and the Absolute 1998 | Frames Version – an older set of essays on
the role of mind in the universe. The tone is speculative. Neuropsychology 1998– a summary of Susan A. Greenfield's 1997, The Human Mind: A Guided Tour with comments by Anil Mitra including some observations on object constancy and the binding problem. The interest of the book is “…my impression is that she has shown how, in the minute details of function, modern neural science has begun to reveal a meeting ground – the places where mind meets brain.” Dreams and Vision 1978-2001– this is not an essay on the philosophy of mind. It is, rather, a collection of accounts of dreams. There are some reflections on the nature of dreams and some implications for the nature of the human mind and abilities. Mind Words 2001 – this essay has been absorbed as a section of Words, Language and Metaphysics – a theoretical and experimental exploration of interactive and generative relationships among language, mind, concepts and world. The essay includes consideration of a variety of word systems. SUPPLEMENTS
Perception 2000 – brief comments A Map of Mind – rough notes from the Trinity Alps, October 2001 SOME RESOURCES
Some Links on Mind and Consciousness Bibliographies since 1985 – a somewhat sprawling set of
bibliographies for a variety of projects compiled by and useful to the author Twenty Key Resource Works in Philosophy of Mind 1999 – an eclectic set of works from the history of civilization ESSAYS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF BEING – INCLUDED AS
SUPPORT FOR THE PHILOSOPHY OF MIND
Journey in Being 2003 – on the possibilities of being and on the possibility
of realization of ultimate being by individual being. An adventure and
exploration through understanding, experience and transformation. The central
essay for the Journey in Being Website. Experiments
in the Transformation of Being 2003 – a synthesis of various modes of
transformation from different cultures and a formulation in intrinsic terms
of what is the Dynamics of Being. Being and The Elements of Being 1998-2001 – an account of the philosophical, physical, individual-social and computer explorations; of ideas, action and construction in the realm of being… with plans and planning. The Potential of Being 2001
| Frames version –
a vision of Being and – human –
possibility. The journey starts with the life-quest of an individual. Seeking
to understand and realize what is possible leads through the accumulated
learning of human traditions to the universal. That learning and its
extension are important but action is necessary to complete the cycle of
learning and transformation. The process of thought and action leads to a
transformation of being: what were thought to be limits are transcended. This version of The Potential of Being is
designed to be accessible to the general reader. The Potential of Being II 2001 – this and the following version of The
Potential of Being are progressively more complex, more detailed, more
provisional and yet remain compact. The Potential of Being III 2001 – includes
planning. Being, Mind and the Absolute 1998 | Frames Version –
see description, above. Evolution and Design 1987 – on the philosophy of evolution and
extension to design – human designs – as a phase of evolution. On the
relationship between “blind” and “conscious” evolution; argues for a continuities
between those two kinds: categorial and explanatory. Application to
knowledge, a variety of phases of design – engineering, education, social
planning. Includes reviews of the nature and philosophy of biology and of
evolution; a survey of philosophy; brief outline of a future discussion of action. Evolution, Design and the Absolute 2001 – extension and
application of the concepts of Evolution and Design to knowledge and
being. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ON BEING AND METAPHYSICS 1999-2001 – AND A
SURVEY
On the Dynamics of Being and the Real Metaphysics and Power – an outline of an essay on the psychology of
motives in the “scholastic” or academic enterprise. Take a survey – what are your
attitudes on the possibilities of being, especially human being. OTHER SUPPORTING ESSAYS IN PHILOSOPHY AND
MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
Critique of Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific
Revolutions 1994 – on the naturalness
of Kuhn’s ideas Evolutionary Epistemology
2000 Meaning and Use 2000 Basic
Words 2001
– this is a playful attempt at writing a basic philosophical and essential
human vocabulary. The following two items have a similar intent Knowledge
Words 2000 Being
Words 2000 – repeated from the
previous heading Ethics 2001 Human
Knowledge and Being Project History of Western Philosophy 1988 – based in the
works of others but useful – updated for 2003 with new content, format and
sections on recent and current philosophy, the future of philosophy and
transcendental logic AN INVITATION TO THE READER…
I invite contributions – ideas, articles, criticism, collaboration, funds, and other resources. THE AUTHOR AND DEVELOPER
Author's site on
Explorations in Being, Mind and Reality |