For each numbered prompt, the sum total of submitted sentences should be 5 or fewer (so answers should be very brief). Strive for accuracy and clarity. 1. The A Priori and the A Posteriori The Churchlands are unimpressed by Searles Chinese Gym argument. Present the a priori/a posteriori distinction, and use this distinction to explain why the Churchlands are unmoved by the Chinese Gym argument. 3. Necessity and Sufficiency Call the following claim “the Basketball Hypothesis”: The Basketball Hypothesis. a basketball has the necessary and sufficient proper- ties for being a piece of sports equipment. Consider now the Physical Symbol System Hypothesis: The Physical Symbol System Hypothesis. A physical symbol system has the nec- essary and sufficient means for general intelligent action. State the distinction between necessary and sufficient conditions, and state the key dif- ference between a correct understanding of the necessity claim contained in the Bas- ketball Hypothesis and the necessity claim contained in the Physical Symbol System Hypothesis. 3. Systematicity of Thought Present Fodors and Pylyshyns Systematicity Argument that natural languages (such as English) have a combinatorial syntax. Next, state how to modify the argument to support the claim that our thoughts have a combinatorial syntax. (You may talk in terms of compositionality rather than combinatorial syntax if you prefer. We wont worry about the difference.)Show more
