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The Problem of the Past
24

The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

Jan 12, 2015

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Page 1: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of the Past

Page 2: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

How can we know that the past exists?

Page 3: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

Define the problem of the past (1)

Page 4: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

Define rationalism and explain its relationship to the problem of the past. (2)

Page 5: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

Define empiricism and explain its relationship to the problem of the past. (3)

Page 6: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

Define proposition. (4)

Page 7: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

Explain the next steps of Belief Conservation. (5, 6 & 7)

Page 8: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

Apply Belief Conservation: State your proposition. (8)

Page 9: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

Apply the principle of Belief Conservation. (8 -13)

Page 10: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

Define basic belief. (14)

Page 11: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

Quick conclusion. (15)

Page 12: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds

Page 13: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds“Those look like my students, but how do I know they have minds,” thought Mrs. Robin.

Notice Mrs. Robin has a mind.

Page 14: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds

“My innate knowledge doesn’t tell me they have minds. There is no sensory experience that tells me they have minds. And there’s no self-evident proposition according to which they must have minds.

But I do believe they have minds. I have a number of beliefs I would have to doubt if they had no minds.”

Page 15: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds“I will apply the Principle of Belief Conservation.

My Proposition P will be that they have no minds.”

Page 16: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds“First I will ask myself if I have other beliefs that I would have to doubt if they did not have minds.

I think I do. What are they?”

Page 17: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds

“If they had no minds, I would doubt that they had feelings.

If they had no minds, I would doubt they can make choices on their own.

If they had no minds, they wouldn’t laugh at my jokes.

Page 18: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds“Now I will ask myself, ‘Do I have any good reason to doubt those things I just listed as beliefs?’ No, I can’t really think of any good reason to doubt that my students laugh at my jokes, have feelings or make choices.”

Page 19: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds

“But do I have some really good reason to think they don’t have minds? “

Page 20: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds

“Has there been a zombie attack in Bangkok lately?

Were all students born in the mid-90s born without minds?

Did the science department do a weird mind-deleting experiment?

I have no good reason to think these things.”

Page 21: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds

“So, it seems most rational to believe that my students do have minds.

What happens next?”

Page 22: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

The Problem of Other Minds

“Hooray! We are so happy! Now we can laugh at Mrs. Robin’s jokes and enjoy Philosophy class!”

Page 23: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

DO NOW: Practicing your terms

Try to write in the answers as best you can without consulting your notes.

In 4 minutes, I will show you word choices.

Page 24: The problem of the past and the problem of other minds

DO NOW: Practicing your terms

•Aesthetics•Belief•Epistemology•Ethics•Metaphysics•Objective•Philosophy

•Philosophy of Language•Proposition•Relativism•Skepticism•Subjective