What we’re about
This group is for thinking people who want to hear about and discuss philosophical ideas that will make a difference to their lives. Everyone is welcome, interested inquirers, avid readers, outliers, undergraduates and professors of philosophy alike.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Is a physicalist theory of mind or consciousness inescapable or incoherent?Link visible for attendees
Workshop # 10, Physicalism, Series 10, (S8,2)
This event begins at 7.30 pm S'pore & WA time, 12.30 pm UK, 7.30 am NY.You will need to view the relevant podcast below on YouTube before joining the meeting in order to participate in the discussion.
https://youtu.be/bUbwGVvLPGg
I know it's stupid, but please click 'like', as it promotes circulation.The workshops include of a prior presentation of the topic by myself on YouTube. The meeting itself consists of a brief review of the topic followed by questions and discussion. The weekly topic is posted a week before the event, together with a suggested reading from my work The Pursuit of Value, available through Amazon Books or myself. Transcripts of the Youtube presentation are available by email.
THIS WEEK: The question ‘what is mind?’ has both a long and short history. Mankind originally understood himself in terms of spirit or soul. In the 17th century Descartes defined mind as a kind of ‘thinking substance’. Analytic philosophy rejected Descartes’ dualism and largely opted for physicalism. Dualism regards consciousness as a different kind of ‘being’, whilst physicalism regards it as a very refined aspect of the physical world. But despite their popularity, both positions are unsatisfactory. So what are the arguments for and against these theories? Reading: The Pursuit of Value, Ch. 6, Scn. i.
