Acta Structuralica

international journal for structuralist research

Journal | Volume | Article

236601

Representationalism and the conceivability of inverted spectra

Brad Thompson

pp. 203-213

Abstract

Most philosophers who have endorsed the idea that there is such a thing as phenomenal content—content that supervenes on phenomenal character—have also endorsed what I call Standard Russellianism. According to Standard Russellianism, phenomenal content is Russellian in nature, and the properties represented by perceptual experiences are mind-independent physical properties. In agreement with Sydney Shoemaker [Shoemaker, S. (1994). Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 54 249–314], I argue that Standard Russellianism is incompatible with the possibility of spectrum inversion without illusion. One defense of Standard Russellianism is to hold that spectrum inversion without illusion is conceivable but not in fact possible. I argue that this response fails. As a consequence, either phenomenal content is not Russellian, or experiences do not represent mind-independent physical properties.

Publication details

Published in:

(2008) Synthese 160 (2).

Pages: 203-213

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-006-9110-4

Full citation:

Thompson Brad (2008) „Representationalism and the conceivability of inverted spectra“. Synthese 160 (2), 203–213.