Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Inverted Spectra, Philosophy of Mind: A term used to describe a thought experiment showing that we cannot be sure that stimuli (here light wavelengths) will be translated into similar mental states by all subjects. It is possible that a color is not localized at the same place on the color spectrum for all subjects, e.g. in an extreme case one may see something as red which another person considers to be green. Since the use of language is based on both having learned public language, they would use the same word despite their differing subjective experience. See also knowledge how, private language, qualia, skepticism._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Michael Pauen on Inverted Spectra - Dictionary of Arguments
Pauen I 143 Inverted spectra/DennettVs inverted spectra/Pauen: behavior and phenomenal experience cannot be separated because they are interwoven on the neural level. - With that consciousness and behavior are inseparable. >Consciousness, >Behavior, >Phenomena, >Experience, >Qualia. I 184 Inverted spectra/missing Qualia/Pauen: common thesis of both arguments: it is impossible to establish a connection between phenomenal and physiological knowledge - so neurobiological theories would be fundamentally unsuited for knowledge of phenomenal processes. Cf. >Qualia/Chalmers. Nevertheless, causal effectiveness of mental properties possible. - No epiphenomenalism. >Epiphenomenalism, >Mental states. I 186 Phenomenal states/Vs Inverted spectra/Pauen: the specific quality of a phenomenal state is rarely determined only by its location within a frame of reference. >Sensory impressions, >Perception, >Subjectivity, >Colors, >Color words. So there is probably no sensation of red itself. - One cannot talk reasonable of differences of the spectrum between people. Maximum change in a person. >Other minds. I 187 Inverted spectra/Vs inverted spectra/Pauen: the spectrum is not symmetric. - This is noticeable in our discernment. Primary colors and mixed colors would be displayed on each other in different numbers. - Orange and Red are turning both into Brown, if they are darkened. Solution: this could be corrected, if one sets exactly the mirror axis through the axis of orange/brown. Problem: that would display secondary colors on primary colors. Pauen: therefore the thought experiment fails because of the imaginability. >Conceivability._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Pauen I M. Pauen Grundprobleme der Philosophie des Geistes Frankfurt 2001 |
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> Counter arguments against Pauen
> Counter arguments in relation to Inverted Spectra
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-27