A Threat for Physicalism: a new Gedankenexperiment

EPISTEMOLOGIA ◽  
2012 ◽  
pp. 130-140
Author(s):  
Claudio Calosi ◽  
Vincenzo Fano
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Mind ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Weak Assumption ◽  
New Thought ◽  
First Order ◽  
Scientific Image ◽  
Hard Problems ◽  
Mental Properties ◽  
Minimal Physicalism

We present a new thought experiment that raises a threat for Minimal Physicalism, i.e. the thesis according to which mental properties supervene on physical properties. Our proposal is an example of the so called hard problems in philosophy of mind, in particular the problem of maximal consciousness. We do not however presuppose anything about its very nature apart from the minimal, weak assumption that it is determined by first order mental properties. We argue that (i) either Minimal Physicalism is unable to give an adequate account of the new thought experiment we present or (ii) has to explain the fact that two numerically distinct but physically indistinguishable individuals have different maximal consciousness due to their spatial location. We contend that this last conclusion is strongly at variance with our contemporary scientific image of the world.

scholarly journals CSE_E 1.0: An Integrated Automated Theorem Prover for First-Order Logic

Symmetry ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1142
Author(s):  
Feng Cao ◽  
Yang Xu ◽  
Jun Liu ◽  
Shuwei Chen ◽  
Xinran Ning
Keyword(s):  
Order Logic ◽  
Theorem Prover ◽  
First Order Logic ◽  
Inference Mechanism ◽  
First Order ◽  
Proof Search ◽  
Interdisciplinary Field ◽  
Heuristic Strategies ◽  
Automated Theorem Prover ◽  
Hard Problems

First-order logic is an important part of mathematical logic, and automated theorem proving is an interdisciplinary field of mathematics and computer science. The paper presents an automated theorem prover for first-order logic, called C S E _ E 1.0, which is a combination of two provers contradiction separation extension (CSE) and E, where CSE is based on the recently-introduced multi-clause standard contradiction separation (S-CS) calculus for first-order logic and E is the well-known equational theorem prover for first-order logic based on superposition and rewriting. The motivation of the combined prover C S E _ E 1.0 is to (1) evaluate the capability, applicability and generality of C S E _ E , and (2) take advantage of novel multi-clause S-CS dynamic deduction of CSE and mature equality handling of E to solve more and harder problems. In contrast to other improvements of E, C S E _ E 1.0 optimizes E mainly from the inference mechanism aspect. The focus of the present work is given to the description of C S E _ E including its S-CS rule, heuristic strategies, and the S-CS dynamic deduction algorithm for implementation. In terms of combination, in order not to lose the capability of E and use C S E _ E to solve some hard problems which are unsolved by E, C S E _ E 1.0 schedules the running of the two provers in time. It runs plain E first, and if E does not find a proof, it runs plain CSE, then if it does not find a proof, some clauses inferred in the CSE run as lemmas are added to the original clause set and the combined clause set handed back to E for further proof search. C S E _ E 1.0 is evaluated through benchmarks, e.g., CASC-26 (2017) and CASC-J9 (2018) competition problems (FOFdivision). Experimental results show that C S E _ E 1.0 indeed enhances the performance of E to a certain extent.

Realization

Philosophy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umut Baysan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Philosophy Of Mind ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Dependence Relation ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Special Sciences ◽  
Painful Sensation ◽  
Mental Properties ◽  
The Mind

“Realization” is a technical term used by philosophers of mind, philosophers of science, and metaphysicians to denote some dependence relation that is thought to exist between higher-level properties or states and lower-level properties or states. Some philosophers of mind hold that mental properties, such as believing that it is raining, having a painful sensation, and so on, are realized by physical properties. Understood this way, the term was introduced to philosophy of mind literature with the thesis that mental properties are multiply realizable by physical properties. Since different physical properties could realize the same mental property, it is thought that the phenomenon of multiple realization shows that the identity theory, namely the view that mental properties are identical with physical properties, is false. For similar reasons, some philosophers of the special sciences think that higher-level properties, such as biological properties, are realized by properties that are invoked in lower-level sciences such as physics. Some metaphysicians suggest that determinable properties, such as color properties (e.g., being red) are realized by their determinate properties (e.g., being crimson, being scarlet). Some argue that dispositional properties, such as being fragile, are realized by non-dispositional, categorical microstructural properties. It has been customary to think that functional properties, such as being a carburetor, are realized by first-order properties that play the specified functional roles. Due to the widely different usages of “realization,” it is difficult to determine if there should be one relation or several relations that this term denotes. Any relation that is denoted by this term can be seen as a realization relation. This article is about such relations. Whereas some theories explicitly formulate realization relations, some tangential theories that concern related issues (e.g., the mind-body problem) make crucial claims as to what counts as a case of realization. This article introduces the central questions about realization and clarifies the main issues and concepts that are invoked in the relevant literature.

scholarly journals Misrepresentation and mental appearance

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (spe) ◽  
pp. 49-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Rosenthal
Keyword(s):  
Higher Order ◽  
Independent Basis ◽  
First Order ◽  
Mental Properties

Abstract I begin by discussing an objection often lodged against higher-order theories of consciousness. The objection is that those theories do not preclude consciousness from misrepresenting the mental properties of our conscious states. I argue that there are several reasons why this objection cannot succeed. Sam Coleman (2018) agrees that the objection fails, but sees it as pointing to a related objection, which he argues poses difficulties the higher-order theorist cannot avoid. His solution is a variant theory of consciousness that invokes mental quotation in the content of a higher-order awareness. I’ll argue that mental quotation cannot be understood in any way that helps with the objection. I’ll argue also that the objection Coleman articulates is question begging, since it in effect simply channels a first-order approach to consciousness, and has no independent basis apart from that.

scholarly journals A New Thought Experiment on Relativistic Length Contraction

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (03) ◽  
pp. 2150012
Author(s):  
B. Raychaudhuri ◽  
S. Ghose ◽  
A. Bhadra
Keyword(s):  
Relative Motion ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
New Thought ◽  
Paradoxical Situation ◽  
Length Contraction ◽  
Dynamical Aspect ◽  
Inertial Frames ◽  
Relativistic Length

Relativistic length contraction is revisited and a simple but new thought experiment is proposed in which an apparent asymmetric situation is developed between two different inertial frames regarding detection of light that comes from a chamber to an adjacent chamber through a movable slit. The proposed experiment does not involve gravity, rigidity or any other dynamical aspect apart from the kinematics of relative motion; neither does it involve any kind of nonuniformity in motion. The resolution of the seemingly paradoxical situation has finally been discussed.

scholarly journals Mulifractal phase transitions: the origin of self-organized criticality in earthquakes

1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Hooge ◽  
S. Lovejoy ◽  
D. Schertzer ◽  
S. Pecknold ◽  
J.-F. Malouin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transition ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Phase Transitions ◽  
Horizontal Plane ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Seismic Process ◽  
First Order ◽  
Self Organized ◽  
Self Organized Criticality ◽  
Model Independent

Abstract. Fractal and occasionally multifractal behaviour has been invoked to characterize (independently of their magnitude) the spatial distribution of seismic epicenters, whereas more recently, the frequency distribution of magnitudes (irrespective of their spatial location) has been considered as a manifestation of Self-Organized Criticality (SOC). In this paper we relate these two aspects on rather general grounds, (i.e. in a model independent way), and further show that this involves a non-classical SOC. We consider the multifractal characteristics of the projection of the space-time seismic process onto the horizontal plane whose values are defined by the measured ground displacements, we show that it satisfies the requirements for a first order multifractal phase transition and by implication for a non-classical SOC. We emphasize the important consequences of the stochastic alternative to the classical (deterministic) SOC.

scholarly journals On an Optical Paradox: Theory and Experiment

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Vladimir A. Leus
Keyword(s):  
Special Relativity ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Frames Of Reference ◽  
New Thought ◽  
Basic Tenet ◽  
Paradox Theory ◽  
Special Relativity Theory ◽  
Time Subject ◽  
Theory And Experiment

<p class="1Body">Special Relativity Theory (SRT) is from time to time subject to critical assaults. There are several logically deduced discrepancies inherent in SRT (paradoxes) which demand a scrupulous examination. In this paper a new thought experiment, including two frames of reference is presented. Two trains are hurtling in opposite directions past one another in a symmetrical manner, but substantially asymmetrical events occur. This consideration leads to a contradiction in the notion of “relativity of simultaneity” – the basic tenet of SRT.</p>

Finding Space in a Non-Spatial World

2021 ◽  
pp. 154-181
Author(s):  
David J. Chalmers
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Mind ◽  
Perceptual Experience ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Cartesian Skepticism ◽  
Scientific Image ◽  
Emergent Spacetime ◽  
Manifest Image

What is the relation between space in the manifest image of perceptual experience and in the scientific image of physics? I will argue that we have moved from spatial primitivism (on which space is understood as a primitive conception that we are acquainted with) to spatial functionalism (on which space is picked out by its functional role). I investigate different forms of spatial functionalism on which the relevant roles are experiential (involving effects on our experience) and non-experiential (involving patterns of causal interactions). I draw connections to functionalism in the philosophy of mind, to Cartesian skepticism, and to recent literature on spacetime functionalism and emergent spacetime.

A Fractal Universe and the Identity of Indescernibles

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 86-94
Author(s):  
Matteo Casarosa ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Thought Experiments ◽  
Relational Theory ◽  
Identity Of Indiscernibles ◽  
New Thought ◽  
Classical Sense ◽  
Better Than

The principle of Identity of Indiscernibles has been challenged with various thought experiments involving symmetric universes. In this paper, I describe a fractal universe and argue that, while it is not a symmetric universe in the classical sense, under the assumption of a relational theory of space it nonetheless contains a set of objects indiscernible by pure properties alone. I then argue that the argument against the principle from this new thought experiment resists better than those from classical symmetric universes three main objections put forth against this kind of arguments.

scholarly journals A justification of the invariance of the speed of light by quantum theoretical considerations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Cordin
Keyword(s):  
Uncertainty Principle ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Relativistic Quantum ◽  
Thought Experiments ◽  
Relativistic Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Speed Of Light ◽  
New Thought ◽  
Time Uncertainty ◽  
Natural Connection ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

AbstractAbstract phenomena can often be analysed in a visually clear way by thought experiments. In the present work a new thought experiment is analysed, which describes the emission of a photon by a special mechanism. The analysis leads to the finding, that there is a natural connection between the energy-time uncertainty and the Heisenberg position-momentum uncertainty principle. A deeper analysis of this thought experiment, especially with regard to a justification of the Doppler effect from the uncertainty principle, leads to the conclusion, that the speed of light is invariant. Therefore it seems reasonable to assume, that the origin of relativistic laws lies in non-relativistic quantum mechanics.

scholarly journals Additional information and clarifications surrounding the Many dimensions interpretation of quantum mechanics, and a new thought experiment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
John joseph Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Interpretation Of Quantum Mechanics ◽  
New Thought ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
The Many ◽  
Refined Version

This is an extension of my previous pre print, in which it will be again once iterated the clarifications of the many dimensions interpretation. This article was published on OSF preprints, titled ‘Additional information and clarifications surrounding the Many dimensions interpretation of quantum mechanics’ (https://osf.io/xq8jm). There will be information included from that article, as well as an extension of a new thought experiment in quantum mechanics, which will reach various philosophical implications. This will not be fully developed and there are plans for a more refined version.

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