1. Discuss the difference between materialism and idealism.
2. John Searle argues that mental states are caused by brains and are, at the same time, features or properties of them. However, some
have challenged Searle’s view on the grounds that his claim implies that the mind would be a cause of it-self, and that this is not possible.
In your view, is it possible for mental processes to be caused by brains and still be properties of them? Defend your answer.
3. Explain Searle’s position on whether digital computers can think. What is his
“Chinese room argument? What is Herbert Simon’s response to Searle’s “Chinese room argument”? Did you find this argument
convincing? Do you think Simon has successfully refuted Searle’s position? Defend all answers.
4. Discuss Simon’s view about the mind and its relationship to the brain, and compare his position on the mid-brain relationship to that of Searle.
5. Discuss at least two of Simon’s examples of thought simulation which he thinks show that computers can think. Do you find any of
Simon’s examples convincing? Defend your position.
