Cognitive Science, the Explanatory Gap and Kripke Against the Mind-brain Identity Theory

Cognitive science, by its inherently interdisciplinary nature, faces the challenge of integration. This paper outlines the challenge and provides a short history of the proposed solutions. Yet another challenge comes from philosophers who believe that the mind is radically different from the body (...

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Main Authors: Maja Malec, Olga Markič
Format: Article
Language:deu
Published: University of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani) 2025-07-01
Series:Ars & Humanitas
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.uni-lj.si/arshumanitas/article/view/23510
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author Maja Malec
Olga Markič
author_facet Maja Malec
Olga Markič
author_sort Maja Malec
collection DOAJ
description Cognitive science, by its inherently interdisciplinary nature, faces the challenge of integration. This paper outlines the challenge and provides a short history of the proposed solutions. Yet another challenge comes from philosophers who believe that the mind is radically different from the body (the mind-body problem), often identifying consciousness as the most recalcitrant aspect of the mind (the problem of consciousness). We begin by examining Saul Kripke’s argument against the possibility of identifying mental states with physical states, as proposed in the mind-brain identity theory, and argue that it is not decisive. We then discuss the difficulty of investigating and explaining subjective experience with the standard scientific methods and conclude with two contemporary approaches that aim to bridge this explanatory gap.
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spelling doaj-art-c10a3d622c244d898a6708da9458b5d72025-08-20T03:16:22ZdeuUniversity of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani)Ars & Humanitas1854-96322350-42182025-07-0119110.4312/ars.19.1.107-123Cognitive Science, the Explanatory Gap and Kripke Against the Mind-brain Identity TheoryMaja Malec0Olga Markič1University of Ljubljana, SloveniaUniversity of Ljubljana, Slovenia Cognitive science, by its inherently interdisciplinary nature, faces the challenge of integration. This paper outlines the challenge and provides a short history of the proposed solutions. Yet another challenge comes from philosophers who believe that the mind is radically different from the body (the mind-body problem), often identifying consciousness as the most recalcitrant aspect of the mind (the problem of consciousness). We begin by examining Saul Kripke’s argument against the possibility of identifying mental states with physical states, as proposed in the mind-brain identity theory, and argue that it is not decisive. We then discuss the difficulty of investigating and explaining subjective experience with the standard scientific methods and conclude with two contemporary approaches that aim to bridge this explanatory gap. https://journals.uni-lj.si/arshumanitas/article/view/23510cognitive scienceconsciousnessmind-brain identitySaul Kripkeexplanatory gap
spellingShingle Maja Malec
Olga Markič
Cognitive Science, the Explanatory Gap and Kripke Against the Mind-brain Identity Theory
Ars & Humanitas
cognitive science
consciousness
mind-brain identity
Saul Kripke
explanatory gap
title Cognitive Science, the Explanatory Gap and Kripke Against the Mind-brain Identity Theory
title_full Cognitive Science, the Explanatory Gap and Kripke Against the Mind-brain Identity Theory
title_fullStr Cognitive Science, the Explanatory Gap and Kripke Against the Mind-brain Identity Theory
title_full_unstemmed Cognitive Science, the Explanatory Gap and Kripke Against the Mind-brain Identity Theory
title_short Cognitive Science, the Explanatory Gap and Kripke Against the Mind-brain Identity Theory
title_sort cognitive science the explanatory gap and kripke against the mind brain identity theory
topic cognitive science
consciousness
mind-brain identity
Saul Kripke
explanatory gap
url https://journals.uni-lj.si/arshumanitas/article/view/23510
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