Searle and Putnam on the Nature of Mental States Cover Image

Searle, Putnam i natura stanów mentalnych
Searle and Putnam on the Nature of Mental States

Author(s): Przemysław Paleczny
Subject(s): Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: Searle; Putnam; mental states; internalism; externalism; Cartesian Theater; perception; intentionality

Summary/Abstract: The paper deals with the controversy between internalism and externalism on the nature of mental states, and its relevance to the philosophy of perception. In particular, the controversy between Hilary Putnam's natural realism and John Searle's direct realism is discussed. It is argued that Searle's defense of internalism fails to meet Putnam’s objections. Putnam’s case is even strengthened and the very source of the internalism vs. externalism controversy is identified in their shared assumptions. The rejection of these assumptions, together with the underlying myth of Cartesian Theater, makes the controversy meaningless. Finally, the relations of Searle’s and Putnam’s views to the Cartesian framework in the philosophy of perception are discussed.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 46
  • Page Range: 74-91
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Polish