Section: Metaphysics of Mind

Chapter: What do we mean by ‘mind’?

Welcome to the start of your journey into the Metaphysics of Mind! Before we can dive into the big debates—like whether the mind is a soul or just a brain—we first need to figure out exactly what we are talking about. What makes a "mental state" different from a "physical state"? This chapter is all about defining the unique features of our inner lives. Don't worry if this seems a bit abstract at first; once you see the examples, it will start to click!

1. The Two Main Features of Mental States

In the AQA syllabus, philosophers identify two main characteristics that define our mental lives: Intentionality and Phenomenal Properties. Think of these as the "About-ness" and the "Feel-ness" of your mind.

2. Intentionality (The "About-ness")

In everyday language, "intentional" means doing something on purpose. In philosophy, Intentionality means something totally different! It refers to the fact that mental states are "about" or "directed at" something.

Example: If you are thinking about a chocolate bar, your thought has Intentionality because it is "about" the chocolate bar. The chocolate bar is the "intentional object" of your thought.

  • Beliefs: You believe that it is raining.
  • Desires: You want a glass of water.
  • Fears: You are afraid of spiders.

The "Arrow" Analogy: Imagine your mind is like an archer. Every time you have a thought, you are firing an arrow at a target. The target is what your thought is "about." Physical objects, like a rock or a chair, aren't "about" anything. A rock just sits there; it doesn't "point" to anything else. Only minds have this special power of Intentionality.

Quick Review: Intentionality

What is it? The property of mental states that makes them "about" or "directed at" something.
Key distinction: Minds have it; physical objects (like rocks) don't.


3. Phenomenal Properties (The "Feel-ness")

Some mental states have a certain "feel" to them. This is the phenomenal side of the mind. It is the "what it is like" aspect of an experience.

Example: Think about the smell of a rose, the sting of a papercut, or the vibrant brightness of a neon sign. There is a specific way those things feel to you subjectively. These "feels" are phenomenal properties.

Did you know?

The philosopher Thomas Nagel famously asked, "What is it like to be a bat?" He argued that even if we knew everything about a bat's brain, we still wouldn't know the phenomenal property of what it actually feels like to experience the world through sonar.


4. Qualia: A Special Kind of Property

Philosophers use the term Qualia (singular: quale) to describe a very specific type of phenomenal property. According to the syllabus, Qualia are defined by four specific characteristics. You should try to memorize these four words!

Qualia are:

  1. Intrinsic: Their nature is found entirely within the experience itself. They don't depend on how they relate to other things. The "redness" of red is just "redness."
  2. Non-intentional: Unlike a belief (which is about something), a quale is just a raw sensation. The "hurt" of a pain isn't "about" anything; it's just a feeling.
  3. Introspectively accessible: You can "see" or "detect" them just by looking into your own mind (introspection). You don't need a lab test to know you are experiencing the "yellowness" of a lemon.
  4. Phenomenal: They constitute the "what it is like" of the experience.
Memory Aid: The "I.N.I.P." Trick

To remember the definition of Qualia, remember I.N.I.P.:
Intrinsic
Non-intentional
Introspectively accessible
Phenomenal

Common Mistake to Avoid: Students often confuse Intentionality and Intention. Remember: In this section, Intentionality = About-ness, NOT "doing something on purpose."


5. Summary of Key Terms

  • Mental States: Inner states like beliefs, desires, pains, and perceptions.
  • Intentionality: The feature of a mental state where it is directed towards an object (e.g., a thought about a cat).
  • Phenomenal Properties: The subjective, experiential quality of a mental state (the "what it's like").
  • Qualia: Specific phenomenal properties that are intrinsic, non-intentional, and introspectively accessible.
Key Takeaway

To understand the "mind," we must look at how it points to the world (Intentionality) and how it feels to us on the inside (Phenomenal Properties/Qualia). These features are what make the mind seem so different from the physical world of matter and motion.