Lecture Notes: The Knowledge Argument and Physicalism

Introduction

• Famous Marys: Mention of various famous Marys to introduce the topic.
• Mary's Room: Thought experiment by Frank Jackson known as the knowledge argument.
• Purpose: Argument aims to show that physicalism/materialism about mental phenomena is false.

Understanding Physicalism

• Physicalism: View that mental phenomena are entirely physical or material.
• Definition Difficulty: Hard to define 'physical'; implies no immaterial aspects in mental lives.
• Common Claim: Thoughts and feelings are just brain firings.

The Knowledge Argument

• Scenario: Mary, a scientist, knows all physical facts about the color red but has never seen it.
• Key Question: When Mary sees red for the first time, does she learn something new?
  • Phenomenal Knowledge: Gains knowledge of the experience or 'qualia' of red.
• Implication: If Mary learns something new, suggests non-physical facts exist, challenging physicalism.

Extensions of the Argument

• Hearing Example: Similar scenario with an expert on hearing who is deaf.
• Real-World Examples: Videos exist of people hearing for the first time through medical interventions.

Physicalist Replies to the Knowledge Argument

1. The Ability Hypothesis

• Different Knowledge Types: Distinction between "know-how" and "propositional knowledge."
• Mary's New Abilities: Claims she gains abilities (e.g., imagining red) rather than new truths.

2. New Knowledge Old Fact

• Old Facts in New Ways: Mary learns old facts in a new guise or representation.
• Example: Lois Lane and Clark Kent/Superman age story.

3. Comprehensive Physical Knowledge

• Misunderstanding of Knowledge: Argues that physical knowledge is more comprehensive than assumed.

4. Incomplete Physical Knowledge in Isolation

• Environmental Limitations: Suggests Mary can't know all physical facts in a black and white room.
• Real-Life Parallel: Knut Nordaby, expert in color vision but colorblind, as a real-life example.

Conclusion

• Continued Debate: Further replies exist against the knowledge argument.
• Open Questions: Encourages reflection on the plausibility of physicalism and the knowledge argument.
• Future Content: Mention of upcoming videos on related arguments.
• Engagement: Encourages likes and subscriptions for more content.