--- In Wittrs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "BruceD" <blroadies@...> wrote: > There are two issues here. > 1- Physical substances: Are there "features" of mind (to use Stuart's > term) that are not physical? Since Stuart has the physical brain > causing mind, he must call all mental features physical, in order > to retain Monis, My inclination is to say that the mind is an abstraction, rather than a physical thing. > So, biological adaptation would be mechanical but social adaption > would be purposive. It is not mechanical in the same way that an automobile is mechanical. Where to draw the line on "purposive" is a bit harder than where to draw it on "mechanical." > An example: My brain causes me to be in pain. I keep the pain to > myself because complaining serves no purpose, as I see it. If my > brain causes me not to complain, then I'm not acting with purpose, > because "I" drops out of the account. I don't care for that way of talking. It seems to me that it is you, not the brain, that is causing you not to complain. I think that you agree with me on that, while Stuart disagrees. Regards, Neil ========================================= Need Something? Check here: http://ludwig.squarespace.com/wittrslinks/