more from Robert Kirk

Single Idea 4985

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 7. Anti-Physicalism / b. Multiple realisability]

Full Idea

If psychological states are multiply realisable it is hard to see how they could possibly be translated into physical terms.

Gist of Idea

If mental states are multiply realisable, they could not be translated into physical terms

Source

Robert Kirk (Mind and Body [2003], §3.8)

Book Reference

Kirk,Robert: 'Mind and Body' [Acumen 2003], p.60


A Reaction

Reductive funtionalism would do it. A writing iimplement is physical and multiply realisable. Personally I prefer the strategy of saying mental states are NOT multiply realisable. If frog brains differ from ours, they probably don't feel pain like us.