Question

I did not understand how this argument should sound. /#BestExpl The article reads as follows: On this way of thinking, mental states are taken to be inner states of an individual that provide the best explanation of the behavior we observe in others. I didn't get it a bit. That is, the internal mental states of one person best explain the behavior of other people? Why is it not mentioned here that other people have minds? Can someone explain this? How does the argument of the best explanation in favor of other minds sound? Thank you The argument can be loosely summarised in the following way. On Earth there are billions of humans. The humans act individually. They talk and appear capable of understanding ideas, formulating ideas, and exchanging ideas. They seem able to perform tasks in logic and mathematics. They have powers of perception and memory. They can solve practical and abstract problems. They appear to be capable of self-analysis. Collectively such abilities can be labelled thinking. Countless experiments have confirmed that there is a link between thinking by individuals and chemical activities in their brains. It seems obvious, therefore, that every human has a similar set of mental abilities that is in some way bound up with processes in their brain. It is difficult to imagine a better explanation to account for all of the outward evidence of thought. A) Observing human behaviors reveals complex mental abilities, suggesting the existence of mental states in individuals. B) The link between thinking by individuals and brain activities supports the idea that mental abilities are tied to brain processes, providing the best explanation for observed behaviors. C) Collective evidence from human behavior and brain activity experiments indicates a correlation between mental abilities and brain processes, supporting the existence of similar mental capacities in individuals. D) The outward evidence of complex mental abilities displayed by individuals points to the existence of mental states associated with brain processes, which serves as the most plausible explanation for observed behaviors.

Answer 1

The argument about other minds suggests that the best explanation for human behavior is the presence of mental states correlating with brain activity. It is underpinned by observations and experiments and provokes further debate on the mind-body relationship. Psychology and cognitive science provide valuable insights into the processes of the brain, aiding the improvement of critical thinking.

Step-by-step explanation:

The argument concerning other minds posits that the best explanation for the complex behavior that we observe in humans is the existence of internal mental states similar to our own. This is because we see billions of individuals engaging in activities that strongly suggest complex internal processes, such as understanding ideas, solving problems, and performing tasks that require logic.

The notion that our behavior is influenced by an intricate interplay between mental states and brain activity is further supported by numerous experiments showing a correlation between brain chemistry and cognitive functions. Although some argue that consciousness and mental states are non-physical, the consistent physical changes in behavior following brain alterations make a strong case for a material basis of mental states.

It is crucial to distinguish between the brain and the mind, recognizing that although they are intimately linked, there is a debate over whether the mind and mental activities can be fully explained by brain activity. Amidst this debate, it becomes apparent that cognitive science and psychology are instrumental in helping us understand the ways in which our brains produce our mental experiences. However, descriptions from these fields do not prescribe how we should think, but rather describe how we actually think, which can assist in enhancing our critical thinking abilities.