Honors Theses

Date of Award

1-1-2009

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

First Advisor

Robert Barnard

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Brian Kyle Ferriss-On the Metaphysics of Phenomenal Mental States: An Inquiry into the Mind-Body Problem from Ordinary Intuition ofthe Mental (Under the direction of Dr. Robert Barnard)

The purpose ofthis thesis is to explore certain metaphysical issues central to the mind-body problem. This thesis approaches the debate by first addressing ordinary intuitions about the mind arguing that such an approach is appropriate and a necessary starting point for any insightful discussion on the mind. This essay, then, applies what it claims to be ordinary beliefs about the mind to a number of philosophical and psychological theories. It investigates these theories by judging them on the grounds of whether they are in accord with the ordinary intuitions, or whether they provide convincing evidence and/or further knowledge that would compel one to discard what is ordinarily thought to be true ofthe mind. This thesis then argues that present metaphysical theories that allow only for a physical or material existence are insufficient in their claims, for they fail to adequately satisfy our intuitions about the mental and they provide no compelling further evidence that would establish any substantial doubt regarding these ordinary beliefs. This thesis eventually claims that a certain dualistic metaphysical theory is more acceptable than that of any current monistic, physicalist position.

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