Is it true that someone could know all physical facts without knowing what it is like to see red? If so, would physicalism be refuted??

Describe Jackson's thought experiment about Mary and the black-and-white room.Explain Jackson's argument, boiled down to its premises. Introduce "qualia" and epiphenomenalism, as Jackson meant it, and show that if the statement is true, then physicalism is indeed refuted.Objection: Discuss the Acquaintance Hypothesis and how it undermines Jackson's argument.All good, but the main objection comes from Dennett: If Mary REALLY knew everything before her release, then there truly is nothing new she could learn. She should know exactly what to expect when seeing red etc.Analogy: ancient Greeks and irrational numbers. They were wrong, and Jackson is wrong.

CS
Answered by Constantinos S. Philosophy tutor

1826 Views

See similar Philosophy A Level tutors

Related Philosophy A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain the motivations and challenges of Virtue Ethics


Explain each of the following: - How moral decisions are made using Rule Utilitarianism - Mill’s ideas concerning the importance of the quality of pleasure


Explain the utilitarian account of morality?


'What is the difference between ethical naturalism and non-naturalism's account of moral language?'


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning