Crane on Mental Representation

Reading: Crane, The Mechanical Mind, Chaphter 5 (2nd reading on blackboard)

Questions:

Before the seminar, please consider the below questions. You do not need to write the answers down (though of course you can if that helps you) but please take some time to think about them. If you cant answer the below (especially the first few) then you probably havent understood the reading. It might be helpful to do it again slowly, focusing on the questions, email me, or turn up at the seminar with specific issues/questions I can help you with.

1. In this paper Crane looks for a reductive defintion for what? (pg 171) Whats a reductive defintion? Are all defintions reductive?

2. He first considers what theory of mental representation? (pg 175)

3. What does Grice mean by 'natural meaning'? Think of an example (not the one given in the paper, your own example)

4. What is the crude causal theory? (According to Fodor) What are its problems?

5. What is the problem of error?

6. "Perhaps ... the reduction of representation should look at not just the inputs to mental states, but at their outputs". Why does Crane suggest this? What does he mean by this suggestion?

7. How would the above (qu 6) suggestion deal with a belief that never caused me to do anything? Do you have any beliefs which have never caused you to do anything? Do you think the suggestion on pg 188 manages to account for these? Are there any other problems with the suggestion on pg 188?

8. What is the biological theory? Can it deal with sophisticated mental states?

9. What is the objection rasied to the biological theory on pg 191? Is there a reply?

10. "If aboutness is real, it must really be something else" (Fodor). Why does Fodor say this? Does Crane agree? Do you? Why/why not?