Maverick Philosopher

Nihil philosophicum a me alienum puto

To promote independent thought about ultimates. Philosophy, commentary on the passing scene, and whatever else turns my crank. Since 4 May 2004. By William F. Vallicella, Ph.D., Gold Canyon, Arizona, USA. Motto: "Study everything, join nothing." (Paul Brunton) Latin Motto: Omnia mea mecum porto. Turkish motto: Yol bilen kervana katilmaz. (He who knows the road does not join the caravan.) All material copyrighted.

Giving Dualism Its Due

This refreshing exercise in intellectual honesty from the pen of Bill Lycan is well worth reading. No, Lycan has not abandoned materialism. But he now admits that there are no compelling arguments for it. Perhaps later I will quote and discuss parts of Lycan's paper. Many thanks to Bob Koepp for bringing it to my attention.

Related Posts (on one page):

  1. Lycan, Dennett, and Spookstuff
  2. Giving Dualism Its Due
Posted by William F. Vallicella on Monday February 11, 2008 at 7:30pm
Desmurph (mail):
Thanks for the link.
2.11.2008 8:22pm
Peter Lupu (mail):
Bill,

went and read the Lycan paper. Wonderful and wonderfully written.
Thanks for the link
peter
2.12.2008 6:11am
Thomas (www):
May I use this post to ask you for suggestions for introductions into the Phil. of mind? There are many books out there, I am aware - but which one is worthwile?

Articles like these remind me of my shaky background knowledge...
2.12.2008 6:57am
Bill Vallicella (mail) (www):
Thomas,

There is a lot I could recommend, but for now, and for one who would like to understand what Lycan is talking about, I will mention two anthologies which contain many of the key papers of the last 50 years or so. One is The Mind/Brain Identity Theory, ed. C.V. Borst and the other is Materialism and the Mind-Body Problem, ed. D. M. Rosenthal.
2.12.2008 2:55pm