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Representationalism, Inverted Earth, and Swampman

Shahmoradi, Ayoob | 2010

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 41472 (42)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Philosophy of Science
  6. Advisor(s): Masrour, Farid; Nasrin, Mehdi
  7. Abstract:
  8. My dissertation includes four chapters; three introductory chapters and a final conclusion. The first chpter is a comprehensive introduction to the problem of consciousness. The next chapter is allocated to representationalism, especially Michael Tye's PANIC theory, as a solution to the hard problem of consciousness and related phenomena. The third chapter is a brife look at causal theories of mental content. And the last chapter contains my arguments agaisnt Tye's theory. Apparently, mental states are of two categories; some mental states have representational content and some other have phenomenal aspect; there is something it is like to undergo latter states. Representationalism holds that all mental states are representational or as Tye puts it, “phenomenal content is one and the same as representational content.” In the forth chapter, I turn to Tye's solutions to the problem of Inverted Earth and the problem of Swampman. I argue that Tye's solutions face serious difficulties. Moreover, though he could solve the two mentioned problems separately, their combination gives rise to a new problem for his theory, which I call the problem of Inverted Swampman. I also argue that Tye's dual notion of optimal conditions, using evolution as content determining factor for evolved creatures on the one hand, and admitting Swampman's intentional states on the other hand, makes his strategy ad hoc and ineffective. Finally, I argue further that Ty's explanation of the Inverted Earth clashes with empirical data regarding inverted experiences.
  9. Keywords:
  10. Phenomenal Consciousness ; Representationalism ; PANIC Theory ; Inverted Earth ; Swamp Man

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