TY - JOUR
T1 - II - Two conceivability arguments compared
AU - Stoljar, Daniel
PY - 2007/4
Y1 - 2007/4
N2 - This paper compares and contrasts two conceivability arguments: the zombie argument (ZA) against physicalism, and the perfect actor argument (AA) against behaviourism. I start the paper by assuming that the arguments are of the same kind, and that AA is sound. On the basis of these two assumptions I criticize the most common philosophical suggestions in the literature today about what is wrong with ZA, and what is right in it. I end the paper by suggesting that the comparison between the two arguments makes plausible an epistemic response to ZA according to which the conceivability of a zombie - that is, someone identical to me in all physical respects but different in some phenomenal respect - is being confused with the conceivability of something else, i.e. someone identical to me in physical respects that are epistemically available, but different in some phenomenal respect.
AB - This paper compares and contrasts two conceivability arguments: the zombie argument (ZA) against physicalism, and the perfect actor argument (AA) against behaviourism. I start the paper by assuming that the arguments are of the same kind, and that AA is sound. On the basis of these two assumptions I criticize the most common philosophical suggestions in the literature today about what is wrong with ZA, and what is right in it. I end the paper by suggesting that the comparison between the two arguments makes plausible an epistemic response to ZA according to which the conceivability of a zombie - that is, someone identical to me in all physical respects but different in some phenomenal respect - is being confused with the conceivability of something else, i.e. someone identical to me in physical respects that are epistemically available, but different in some phenomenal respect.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=60949158047&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-9264.2007.00210.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1467-9264.2007.00210.x
M3 - Review article
SN - 0066-7374
VL - 107
SP - 27
EP - 44
JO - Proceedings of the Aristotelean Society
JF - Proceedings of the Aristotelean Society
IS - 1 PART 1
ER -