Metaethics Definitions:
What is mind?
INTENTIONALITY – A feature of mental states. The aboutness/ directness that mental states are
directed towards an object/ state of affairs. For Example, remembering a tree. The thought is
directed towards the object (e.g., A Tree)
QUALIA – Also known as a phenomenon, non – intentional phenomenal property of a certain mental
states that have appearances existing only within our consciousness and accessed subjectively
through introspection. Refers to the qualitative nature of our phenomenological experience.
PHENOMENA – Appearances existing only within our consciousness and accessed subjectively
through introspection.
DUALISM – Contends that there are two basic sorts of things that make up a human being are
mental and physical. Example, Plato and Descartes.
MONISM – Holds there is only one kind of substance with no real distinction can be drawn between
the mental and the physical
Substance Dualism (DESCARTES)–
SUBSTANCE DUALISM - Holds that the mind and body are composed of different substances which
are not dependant on one another for existence.
INTERACTIONISM – Whilst they are made of different stuff there was a mechanism whereby these
two different substances could affect each other
LEIBNIZ LAW – This holds that if two things share all the same properties, they must be the same
thing; conversely, if one has a property that the other lacks then they must be different.
INTROSPECTION – Experience of the self
LOGICALLY POSSIBLE – If it can be conceived without contradiction then it is an a priori analytic truth
PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE – If it being true does not break the laws of physics
METAPHYSICALLY POSSIBLE – If it is logically possible and is allowed by the nature of the nature of
all things that could have existed
POSSIBLE WORLDS – Something is logically possible if cannot conceive of a world in which it could
be case.
INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT – State of affairs which involve being aware of something (beliefs, hopes,
desires)
Property Dualism (CHALMER)
PROPERTY DUALISM – Holds that a consciousness is a real phenomenon, and a distinction may be
drawn between the mental and physical.
EMERGENT – Only appears when biological matter is managed to organise itself into a sufficiently
complex system
IRREDUCIBLE – They cannot be explained of the physical properties of the body and mind
What is mind?
INTENTIONALITY – A feature of mental states. The aboutness/ directness that mental states are
directed towards an object/ state of affairs. For Example, remembering a tree. The thought is
directed towards the object (e.g., A Tree)
QUALIA – Also known as a phenomenon, non – intentional phenomenal property of a certain mental
states that have appearances existing only within our consciousness and accessed subjectively
through introspection. Refers to the qualitative nature of our phenomenological experience.
PHENOMENA – Appearances existing only within our consciousness and accessed subjectively
through introspection.
DUALISM – Contends that there are two basic sorts of things that make up a human being are
mental and physical. Example, Plato and Descartes.
MONISM – Holds there is only one kind of substance with no real distinction can be drawn between
the mental and the physical
Substance Dualism (DESCARTES)–
SUBSTANCE DUALISM - Holds that the mind and body are composed of different substances which
are not dependant on one another for existence.
INTERACTIONISM – Whilst they are made of different stuff there was a mechanism whereby these
two different substances could affect each other
LEIBNIZ LAW – This holds that if two things share all the same properties, they must be the same
thing; conversely, if one has a property that the other lacks then they must be different.
INTROSPECTION – Experience of the self
LOGICALLY POSSIBLE – If it can be conceived without contradiction then it is an a priori analytic truth
PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE – If it being true does not break the laws of physics
METAPHYSICALLY POSSIBLE – If it is logically possible and is allowed by the nature of the nature of
all things that could have existed
POSSIBLE WORLDS – Something is logically possible if cannot conceive of a world in which it could
be case.
INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT – State of affairs which involve being aware of something (beliefs, hopes,
desires)
Property Dualism (CHALMER)
PROPERTY DUALISM – Holds that a consciousness is a real phenomenon, and a distinction may be
drawn between the mental and physical.
EMERGENT – Only appears when biological matter is managed to organise itself into a sufficiently
complex system
IRREDUCIBLE – They cannot be explained of the physical properties of the body and mind
