PHI 3398 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Reductionism, Sentience, Coherentism
5 Dec 2013
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Mcdowell"s philosophy of nature: section 1: the seesaw and the concept of nature. Source of the seesaw (coherentism vs. the myth of the given) Two points of view presuppose that experience cannot be conceptual. This block is caused by the modern conception of nature: section 2: animals and the concept of nature. Animals are sentient, allowing them to perceive". Same for us they can perceive the world, same as us; they are aware of what"s around them. We are aware of our environment (vs. thermostat) Capacity to be aware (awake) biological // ability to reflect, possesses beliefs & reasons (vs. computer: crucial section 3: disenchanted nature. This conception of nature blocks mcdowell"s conception. We have to assume we can intervene in the causal world/we are agents: section 4: 3 approaches concerning the status of spontaneity. Spontaneity belongs to the realm of law. Reduce spontaneity to the realm of law (causality) Davidson under the spell of the modern conception of nature.
