My Mind's Eye - The Mind Body Problem: An interview with Ned Block

Summary

In this thought-provoking video blog, the mind-body problem is explored through the lens of philosophy and neuroscience. Ned Block, a prominent thinker in consciousness studies, discusses with a host from NYU the nature of consciousness, distinguishing between phenomenal and access consciousness. They delve into the 'hard problem' posed by David Chalmers and consider the consciousness of animals, suggesting similarities in perceptual experiences with humans. The conversation highlights the interdisciplinary approach needed to unravel the complexities of consciousness, emphasizing the importance of both conceptual and scientific progress.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The script discusses the mind-body problem, which is the philosophical question of how physical processes in the brain can give rise to conscious experiences.
• 🧠 It introduces two main perspectives on the mind-body problem: dualism, which posits that the mind and brain are separate entities, and physicalism, which asserts that the mind is the brain.
• 🤔 The script mentions the work of Ned Block, who is known for his distinction between phenomenal consciousness (the 'what it's like' of experience) and access consciousness (the use of information in reasoning and action).
• 🐦 The discussion of animal consciousness suggests that higher mammals, especially primates, may share similar perceptual experiences with humans, but the extent of this sharing decreases as one moves down the phylogenetic tree.
• 🎵 The video blog is also a song by the speaker's band, 'the immittance,' and the song's title, 'My Mind's Eye,' is used to explore the nature of consciousness.
• 👨‍🏫 The speaker, a professor at NYU, emphasizes the importance of integrating philosophical thought with scientific findings to make progress in understanding consciousness.
• 🔍 The script highlights the importance of distinguishing between different types of consciousness and understanding the role of attention in perception to address the mind-body problem.
• 🤖 The 'easy problems' of consciousness, according to David Chalmers, are those related to the functions of consciousness, whereas the 'hard problem' is understanding why and how physical processes result in conscious experience.
• 🧬 The analogy of water being H2O is used to illustrate how two different concepts (mental and physical) can refer to the same thing, suggesting a potential framework for solving the mind-body problem.
• 🐠 The script questions whether all creatures have consciousness, suggesting that some, like worms or slugs, may not have a subjective experience at all.
• 🎶 The video concludes with a music video for 'My Mind's Eye,' which uses art to further explore the complexities of consciousness and the unreliability of self-perception.

Q & A

What is the mind-body problem discussed in the script?

The mind-body problem is the philosophical issue concerning the relationship between the mind and the physical body, specifically why the physical basis of a conscious experience, like the perception of color, is associated with that particular experience rather than another.

What are the two main responses to the mind-body problem mentioned in the script?

The two main responses are dualism, which posits that the brain and mind are separate entities with a distant relationship, and physicalism, which asserts that the mind is identical to the brain.

Who is Ned Locke, and what is his view on the mind and brain?

Ned Locke is a silver professor of philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience at NYU. He is a leading thinker on the nature of consciousness and leans towards physicalism, believing that the mind and brain are the same thing.

What is the difference between phenomenal consciousness and access consciousness?

Phenomenal consciousness refers to the subjective experience or 'what it's like' to perceive something, while access consciousness pertains to the use of perceptual or other information in reasoning and controlling actions.

Why is phenomenal consciousness sometimes considered the 'hard problem' of consciousness?

Phenomenal consciousness is considered the 'hard problem' because it involves understanding why and how neural processes give rise to subjective experiences, which is a challenge that current physicalist explanations have not fully addressed.

What is the concept of 'water being H2O' an example of in the context of the mind-body problem?

The concept of water being H2O illustrates how two different concepts (the everyday concept of water and the chemical concept of H2O) can refer to the same substance, which is analogous to the mind-body problem where mental and physical concepts are seen as pointing to the same phenomena.

What does the script suggest about the relationship between the frontal lobes and consciousness?

The script suggests that while the frontal lobes are crucial for thought and reasoning, phenomenal consciousness can exist without significant involvement from the frontal lobes, implying that animals might share perceptual consciousness with humans despite differences in cognitive abilities.

What is the script's stance on animal consciousness, particularly in relation to mammals?

The script posits that higher mammals, especially those with visual systems similar to humans, likely share similar perceptual experiences. However, it also suggests that non-perceptual aspects of consciousness, such as emotions, may be less shared due to cognitive differences.

How does the script relate the discussion of consciousness to the song 'The Amygdaloid Song'?

The script connects the discussion of consciousness to 'The Amygdaloid Song' by highlighting the idea that while conscious experiences provide a sense of knowing, they can sometimes be deceptive or incomplete, with deeper reasons for actions potentially hidden from conscious awareness.

What role does the script suggest for philosophy in relation to the sciences of the mind?

The script suggests that philosophy, particularly the philosophy of mind, can benefit from engaging with scientific findings in the study of consciousness, using these insights to address traditional philosophical problems and refine conceptual understanding.

How does the script use the example of the 'speckled hen' problem to illustrate a point about the mind-body problem?

The script uses the 'speckled hen' problem to show how making finer-grained distinctions in our understanding of attention and consciousness can help bridge the gap between mental and physical concepts, which is a step towards solving the mind-body problem.