Exam 2:Minds, Machines, and Persons)

Choose and answer TWO of the three essay questions below. Each of your answers should be about 500 words in length, as a rough guideline. Explain your answer carefully (pretend your reader is not in our class and does not already know the material). And be sure to answer all parts of the question.

Answer two of the questions below:
Carefully present and explain Descartes’ Conceivability Argument for dualism. Be sure to explain the meaning of any important terms in the argument. Explain each step of the argument and how someone like Descartes might defend each step of the argument. Then, present and explain one objection to the argument. (You should be presenting an objection to one of the premises or assumptions of the argument itself, not the conclusion of the argument). Do you think the objection is successful, or is there a way for Descartes to successful reply to your objection. Why or why not?
Carefully present and explain Frank Jackson’s Knowledge Argument against physicalism. Be sure to explain the details of his thought experiment involving Mary. Be sure to explain the meaning of any important terms in the argument. Explain each step of the argument and how someone like Jackson might defend each step of the argument. Then, present and explain one objection to the argument. (You should be presenting an objection to one of the premises or assumptions of the argument itself, not the conclusion of the argument). Do you think the objection is successful, or is there a way for Jackson to successful reply to your objection. Why or why not?
What do philosophers mean by mental causation? Carefully present and explain how mental causation raises a problem for contemporary forms of dualism, and how it can be used in an argument in favor of physicalism. Be sure to explain the meaning of any important terms in your argument or discussion. Do you think that the existence of mental causation gives us a strong reason to accept physicalism about the mind (including the phenomenal character of experience)? Why or why not?

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