The Realization of Qualia, Persons, and Artifacts

Pacific Philosophical Quarterly 99 (S1):182-204 (2017)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

This article argues that standard causal and functionalist definitions of realization fail to account for the realization of entities that cannot be individuated in causal or functional terms. By modifying such definitions to require that realizers also logically suffice for any historical properties of the entities they realize, one can provide for the realization of entities whose resistance to causal/functional individuation stems from their possession of individuative historical properties. But if qualia cannot be causally or functionally individuated, then qualia can be physically realized only if the thesis that all things are physical or physically realized is insufficient for physicalism.

Author's Profile

Ben White
Oakland University

Analytics

Added to PP
2018-05-10

Downloads
312 (#48,322)

6 months
98 (#35,613)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?