Knowledge Tree
physical theory
Also known as: physical theory, physical theories
Facts (18)
Sources
Moving Forward on the Problem of Consciousness - David Chalmers consc.net 7 facts
claimDavid Chalmers argues that physical theories are ultimately specified in terms of structure and dynamics, and that structure and function only ever add up to more structure and function.
claimPhysical theories are typically formulated using basic mathematical structures and dynamics, such as Euclidean space, four-dimensional space-time, or infinite-dimensional Hilbert space.
claimInteractionist dualism is not incompatible with current physical theory.
claimThe Russellian view can be interpreted as a form of 'materialism' because it asserts that physical reality is all there is, while simultaneously arguing that physical reality contains more than what current physical theory describes.
claimDavid Chalmers asserts that because physical theories are based on structure and dynamics, the question of consciousness remains unanswered even when external evidence is explained.
claimDavid Chalmers proposes a Russellian view where a pervasive intrinsic property of physical reality exists, which carries the structure and dynamics of physical theory but is not directly revealed by empirical investigation, enabling the existence of consciousness.
claimStephen Hawking (1988) noted that physical theory provides rich mathematical structure but says nothing about what puts the 'fire' into the equations or grounds the reality that these structures describe.
Hard Problem of Consciousness | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy iep.utm.edu 5 facts
claimPhysical theory defines basic properties, such as the nature of a quark, in terms of their dispositions to causally interact with other entities rather than their intrinsic nature.
claimSome interpretations of quantum theory posit that the concept of 'observation' requires consciousness to be treated as an unreduced primitive, rather than something characterized by the relational terms of physical theory.
claimOne proposed solution to the gap in physical theory is to posit phenomenal properties as the categorical bases of basic physical matter, or to posit a neutral substance that realizes phenomenal properties under the right circumstances.
claimA dualist view of consciousness exists that rejects the causal closure of physics while maintaining concordance with basic physical theory by assigning phenomenal properties the role of collapsing the wave function through observation.
claimPhysical theory is limited to describing extrinsic or relational properties and remains silent regarding the intrinsic categorical bases that underlie these dispositional properties.
Critique of Panpsychism: Philosophical Coherence and Scientific ... thequran.love May 7, 2025 2 facts
perspectivePanpsychists argue that the breach in the physicalist program, where consciousness cannot be derived from current physical theory, was always present and their theory simply acknowledges it.
perspectivePhilip Goff argues that by limiting physics to the quantitative aspects of matter, science rendered consciousness invisible to physical theory by design, leaving physics to describe what matter does rather than what it is intrinsically.
Panpsychism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Fall 2025 Edition) plato.stanford.edu May 23, 2001 2 facts
claimIf the argument regarding dispositional essentialism is sound, physical theory is incapable of providing a complete and adequate account of the nature of the material world.
claimModern physical theories are framed in a wholly mathematico-nomic vocabulary, which excludes the qualitative concepts found in Aristotelian characterizations of the universe.
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness cambridge.org Dec 20, 2023 1 fact
claimThe 'argument from previous explanatory successes' posits that because mysterious phenomena like celestial motion, disease, and vital forces were eventually explained by physical theories, consciousness will also eventually be explained in physical terms.
The Hard Problem of Consciousness | Springer Nature Link link.springer.com 1 fact
claimBertrand Russell asserted that the structuralism of physical theory is incapable of grasping the intrinsic essence of things.