more from Gilbert Harman

Single Idea 3075

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 4. Connectionism]

Full Idea

If the right pattern of electrical discharges occurred in a cloud instead of in a brain, would that also be a headache?

Gist of Idea

Could a cloud have a headache if its particles formed into the right pattern?

Source

Gilbert Harman (Thought [1973], 3.2)

Book Reference

Harman,Gilbert: 'Thought' [Princeton 1977], p.38


A Reaction

The standard objection to functionalism is to propose absurd implementations of a mind, but probably only a brain could produce the right electro-chemical combination.