What justifies logic?

Argument terminology used in logic and reasoning

Jacob McNulty has an article at IAI arguing that the foundations of logic can only be found in metaphysics. (Warning: possible paywall. Alternate link.). He describes a problem called “the logocentric predicament," that any attempt to justify logic with logic ends up being circular, risking an infinite regress. He notes that the most common response … Continue reading What justifies logic? →

Fundamental and naturalistic panpsychism

In the art of the Japanese rock garden, the artist must be aware of the "ishigokoro" ('heart', or 'mind') of the rocks.

Nicolas Rouleau and Michael Levin have a new preprint out: Brains and Where Else? Mapping Theories of Consciousness to Unconventional Embodiments. The gist of the paper is that we should be open to seeing consciousness in places other than brains. While I'm onboard with that general premise, they take it to places that don't seem … Continue reading Fundamental and naturalistic panpsychism →

Manifest and fundamental consciousness

I think the problem of consciousness is primarily one of definition. The word "consciousness" can refer to a range of concepts. Some of the concepts are scientifically tractable, while others, once we clarify them, are metaphysical assumptions that we can either choose to hold or dismiss. This is one of the reasons I find exploring … Continue reading Manifest and fundamental consciousness →