Eliminative Materialism - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Eliminative Materialism, also known as eliminativism, is a radical thesis in the philosophy of mind that proposes many, if not all, of the common-sense psychological concepts, such as beliefs, desires, and intentions – collectively referred to as "folk psychology" – are fundamentally mistaken and should eventually be abandoned or "eliminated" in favor of neuroscientific explanations. Is it possible that our deeply ingrained understanding of ourselves and others is simply wrong?
The precise origins are difficult to pinpoint, but seeds of eliminativist thought can be traced back to the mid-20th century. While not explicitly labeled as such, some philosophers in the 1960s began to question the validity of introspective psychology, hinting at the inadequacy of our subjective experiences as reliable sources of information about the mind. As the decade saw rapid advances in neuroscience, such as the discovery of the genetic code and groundbreaking research on brain function, alternative explanations about the mind's functionality started surfacing.
The formal articulation of Eliminative Materialism emerged more distinctly in the 1980s, championed by philosophers like Paul and Patricia Churchland. Their arguments centered on the idea that folk psychology is a stagnant, empirically flawed theory, unable to adequately explain or predict human behavior or integrate with other scientific disciplines. For instance, folk psychology struggles to explain mental illness or the physical basis of consciousness. This perspective sparked considerable debate, challenging the long-held assumption that our introspective understanding of ourselves is basically correct. Is our intuitive grasp of the mind an accurate reflection of reality, or is it a barrier to true understanding?
Today, Eliminative Materialism remains a contentious yet influential position within the philosophy of mind. While its more radical claims are often met with resistance, particularly from those who defend the importance of subjective experience, its emphasis on the explanatory power of neuroscience has profoundly shaped contemporary research. It serves as a constant reminder that our understanding of the mind is far from complete, pushing us to continually question our assumptions and explore new avenues of inquiry. Is the self we experience a construct, and if so, what does that imply for our sense of identity and purpose?