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The Dissenter

#957 Adam Toon - Mind as Metaphor: A Defence of Mental Fictionalism

Jun 21, 2024
Dr. Adam Toon, an expert in mental fictionalism, discusses folk psychology and different approaches to the mind, including mental fictionalism and Daniel Dennett's perspective. They explore the concept of the mind as an inner world, instrumentalism, behaviorism, mental representations, intentionality, and the extended mind thesis. The episode offers valuable insights into understanding beliefs, desires, and the role of language in shaping our understanding of the mind.
01:17:18

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Folk psychology shapes our understanding of the mind's inner world through attributions of thoughts and emotions in daily interactions.
  • Behaviorism challenges the inner world concept by translating mental states into observable behaviors, yet struggles with the holistic nature of multiple mental state influences.

Deep dives

Understanding Folk Psychology and Common Ideas About the Mind

Folk psychology involves the common sense understanding of the mind that people use in everyday life, such as attributing thoughts, hopes, and fears to oneself and others. This concept serves as a basis for exploring the mind's interpretations and attempting to understand the inner world idea.

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