An Analysis of Kripke’s Argument against the Identity Theory
An Analysis of Kripke’s Argument against the Identity Theory

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, I provide a critical analysis of Kripke’s claim that „pain = C-fiber firings“ is not necessary. Kripke’s claim depends on accepting the plausibility of a possible world in which either pain or C-fiber firings can occur without the other. Against Kripke, I argue that we do not have a good reason to accept the plausibility of such a world. On my view, the tendency to accept the plausibility of such a world is likely motivated by certain intuitions and experiences which can misleadingly shape our discourse about possible worlds. From this, I conclude that it is not obvious that „pain = C-fiber firings“ cannot be necessary.

• Details
• Contents