A Paradox of Objectivity and Subjectivity We normally suppose that our thoughts concern an objective world. We are capable of thinking about things outside the mind. There is a mind-independent world and we can make cognitive contact with that world by deploying our concepts. I can form conceptions of things that exist outside my mind. […]
Objective and Subjective Knowledge We must first make a firm distinction between objective and subjective facts, on the one hand, and objective and subjective conceptions of facts, on the other.[1] That is, we must distinguish the application of these terms to the world (objects, properties) from their application to mental representations of the world (perceptions, […]
Brain Specialization and Cognitive Closure Is the human brain intellectually limited? How limited might it be? Is it also limited emotionally and athletically and artistically? Suppose we ask the same question about the parts of the brain, the various functional structures gathered into a single brain—are they limited? For example, can the visual cortex perform […]
It is possible to describe humankind in the objective terms favored by orthodox zoology and biology. You can describe the human being in scrupulously behavioral terms, stressing his anatomy, physiology, and evolution. It can be quite illuminating to do so, and not untrue. For example, you can describe human sexuality this way (Desmond Morris does […]
Ethical Life Here is an interesting fact about the ethical life: it is not optional. Any satisfactory ethical theory ought to explain this fact, and I’m not sure any do. It isn’t a life-style choice, or a personal preference, or even a vocation; it’s non-negotiable. You have to be moral—no ifs, ands, and buts. You […]
Mind and Substance A materialist like Hobbes would say that the soul is a material substance. This proposition has two parts: material and substance. What does the first part mean, or what does an avowed materialist mean by it? Presumably, that the mind is extended in space, solid, corpuscular, has a weight, and is perceptible […]
I just came across this. It must be AI generated. Some of it is quite funny. Overall, not bad. Affirmations Guide. Career For Women For Men Lifestyle About Us Affirmation Generator Inspired By Colin Mcginn Famous Quotes and Affirmations Colin Mcginn Famous Quotes and Affirmations Table […]
This is in regard to my “Meaning and Reality”. Great piece, Colin; I read and save them all. Are you planning a book of ~75-100 of these? New Scientist feature on Landscape of Consciousness, just published online, magazine forthcoming. Web: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2498968-what-350-different-theories-of-consciousness-reveal-about-reality/ Magazine: attached. Warm regards, Robert From me: I’d love to publish a collection […]
Meaning and Reality I am going to drill right into the heart of twentieth-century analytical philosophy, which includes its antecedents going back at least to the seventeenth century. This will be a major operation: the body of philosophy will be laid open on the operating table. I will not be pussyfooting around. The question is […]
Hospital Grammar I went to the hospital yesterday for my yearly check-up with my head and neck surgeon, Dr. Civantos. I waited awhile reading The Naked Ape. Eventually he came in and remarked how well I looked (this is good to hear from a cancer doctor). He had operated on me for twelve hours over […]