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metaphysicsadvanced7 steps · ~90 min

What Is a Mind? The Central Problems of Philosophy of Mind

Tackle the hardest problem in philosophy: consciousness. Explore dualism, physicalism, functionalism, and the question of whether machines can think.

Steps

  1. 1
  2. Reading· ~11 min

    The field of Positions: From Dualism to Eliminativism

    The main philosophical positions on the ==mind-body problem==, and why each one either explains too much or too little.

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  3. Reading· ~9 min

    Qualia, Zombies, and the Mary Argument: The Hard Problem's Best Weapons

    Three thought experiments that have defined the consciousness debate, and why they're so hard to dismiss.

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  4. Text Explore· ~8 min

    The Hard Problem in Chalmers' Own Words

    Read Chalmers' original formulation and the most pointed responses.

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  5. Argument Map· ~10 min

    The Mind-Body field

    Map the positions and arguments in contemporary philosophy of mind.

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  6. Dialogue· ~10 min

    Dialogue: Is the Hard Problem Really Hard?

    Challenge whether Chalmers has identified a genuine explanatory gap or a conceptual confusion.

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  7. Reflection· ~8 min

    Reflection: What Is It Like to Be You?

    Turn the philosophy of mind's central question inward.

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Complete the Reflection step in this path to rate it and share your thoughts in the comments.