15 Comments

I regard both the verification principle and Occam's razor [a] as good rules of thumb to detect BS, not grand, fundamental principles.

[a] Including the key caveat 'sufficient'.

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You could be wrong?! Never.

Seriously, a very interesting (though slightly over the head of a non-philosopher like me) essay.

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On P-Zombies- they offend my sensibilities in part because they are not conceived of as being truly human, despite their appearance to be truly human in all other ways. This reminds me of how racism dehumanizes the other. And besides, what mechanism operates them if not consciousness? It’s needlessly complicated to think that they are operating in a new and unique way different from the rest of us. It’s again like the racist belief that WE have souls, but THEY do not have a magic ghost in them.

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Mar 2, 2023Liked by Massimo Pigliucci

Very informative, to me, discussion. It allows me to see these frameworks in a different way with a method that seems intuitively correct. Thanks again!

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Mar 2, 2023Liked by Massimo Pigliucci

This post reminded me of your earlier recommendation of Peter Adamson’s History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps. Thank you, I am enjoying it greatly!

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