Reading Comprehension

PT115 · S1 · P4 · Q26 Theory of the Mind

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Some of the philosophers find the traditional, subjective approach to studying the mind outdated and ineffectual.

Topic

The debate between subjective and objective approaches to studying the mind.

Framework

Present Debate

Main Point

Philosophers clash over whether to study the mind through subjective introspection or objective scientific methods, but genuine progress in the debate will require evaluating the authority and limitations of both perspectives—possibly leading to new ways of understanding the mind. The Most Valuable Sentence is at the end of the final paragraph:

P1: Introduction to Objectivist View

A group of philosophers think the old approach of describing inner feelings (like pain or anger) is outdated; they argue scientific, externally observable data is far more reliable and effective for understanding the mind, just as it is for other sciences.

P2: The Subjectivist Rebuttal

Subjectivist philosophers push back, arguing that knowledge must include subjective experience and introspection, and question why only objective data should "count."

P3: Lack of Common Ground

The passage suggests these two approaches can't easily reconcile, and the main problem is that the sides don't share enough foundational beliefs to make productive dialogue possible.

26.

The author characterizes certain philosophers as "loyal to subjectivity" (first sentence of the second paragraph) for each of the following reasons EXCEPT:

  1. Correct

    These philosophers believe scientists should

    Why this is right

    This sounds like a pretty corny thing for subjectivists to argue: If you're studying how a nerve transmits an impulse to the brain, you should focus on how it subjectively feels when a nerve transmits an impulse? In order to determine the speed with which an electrical impulse travels from nerve to nerve, you should consult the data gathered by introspection? The task of studying how nerves transmit impulses to the brain sounds very biochemical / very hard science / very physiological. The subjectivists aren't trying to say that EVERYTHING is subjective. Thus, they'd have no reason to try to insert subjectivity into something that is really just biological analysis. Their position is that philosophical questions shouldn't be reduced to biological analysis. But "how do nerves transmit impulses to the brain" is not a philosophical question.

    Skill tested: Locate Detail · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

    68% picked this

  2. These philosophers favor subjective evidence

    Supported

    This sounds like the first sentence of the 2nd paragraph. - when science conflicts with the data from introspection, these philosophers would give preference to introspection - they think that knowledge relies on a pool of experiential data that includes subjective experience - they think that it's foolish to reduce the sources of knowledge to only data that can be objectively seen and measured

    7% picked this

  3. These philosophers maintain that subjective

    Supported

    This sounds like the second sentence of the 2nd paragraph. - when science conflicts with the data from introspection, these philosophers would give preference to introspection - they think that knowledge relies on a pool of experiential data that includes subjective experience - they think that it's foolish to reduce the sources of knowledge to only data that can be objectively seen and measured

    2% picked this

  4. These philosophers hold that objective

    Supported

    This sounds like the second sentence of the 2nd paragraph. - when science conflicts with the data from introspection, these philosophers would give preference to introspection - they think that knowledge relies on a pool of experiential data that includes subjective experience - they think that it's foolish to reduce the sources of knowledge to only data that can be objectively seen and measured

    8% picked this

  5. These philosophers employ evidence that

    Supported

    The fact that subjectivists care about data/evidence that comes from "introspection" and "subjective experience" means that they employ data/evidence that is available only to a particular individual. Our introspective experiences (the feelings inside your body and the thoughts inside your mind) are only felt and thought by the individual. We can tell people that our foot hurts, but they can't feel that pain, nor they know if we're really telling the truth. Only we know if our foot hurts and what it feels like.

    15% picked this

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