Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Inverted Spectra, Philosophy of Mind: A term used to describe a thought experiment showing that we cannot be sure that stimuli (here light wavelengths) will be translated into similar mental states by all subjects. It is possible that a color is not localized at the same place on the color spectrum for all subjects, e.g. in an extreme case one may see something as red which another person considers to be green. Since the use of language is based on both having learned public language, they would use the same word despite their differing subjective experience. See also knowledge how, private language, qualia, skepticism._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Robert Stalnaker on Inverted Spectra - Dictionary of Arguments
I 222 Inverted spectra/Stalnaker: the recent discussion is about the relation between representational and qualitative content. E.g. we then have different experiences when we both look at a ripe tomato, but the tomato seems red to both of us. Representational content: the representational content is the same for both! ((s) Both have the experience red). ((s) So it is about language use) and not about a stimulus as something neutral). StalnakerVsSeparation of qualitative and representational content. >Representation. I 225 Inverted spectra/intra-personnel/language/Stalnaker: e.g. assuming Fred has reversed his spectrum over time, but his language use has adapted to it. Then the qualitative content (that stays changed) cannot be identified with the intentional content. Variant: through gradual change in small steps. Important argument: then you cannot say in the end that the whole semantics is changed abruptly. >Qualia/Stalnaker._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Stalnaker I R. Stalnaker Ways a World may be Oxford New York 2003 |
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> Counter arguments against Stalnaker
> Counter arguments in relation to Inverted Spectra
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-28