Comment On Paul Churchland’s Eliminative Materialism

Discussion of the status of the ontology of mind can be traced back to ancient times. It is not only one of the oldest philosophical questions, but also a central issue throughout the history of western philosophy. With the development of the physical doctrine and the rise of the scientific realism, especially the giant leaps in computer science, cognitive science, and neuroscience, there is a significant change in contemporary western philosophy of mind that some philosophers have a new research direction on the status of the ontology of mind. With the critical spirit, they launched a revolution of the ontology of mind, with purpose to change the traditional mind concept and disclose mystery veil of mind. During this revolution, there are three different forms:moderate, compromise and extreme. Paul Churchland is the vanguard and his eliminative materialism becomes the most extreme form. The eliminative materialism not only provides a new path for us to explore the nature of mind, but also deepens the awareness of Marxist theory and develops contemporary philosophy of mind. In this thesis, there are four parts regarding Chruchland’s eliminative materialism.I. Introduction of historical roots of eliminative materialism development, including description of three conditions of eliminative materialism development and overview of the research background. This provides background for the overall framework of eliminative materialism research.II. Content of eliminative materialism. Firstly, introduction of folk psychology, the object he want to cancel; secondly, details of his point view he believes that folk psychology is a completely wrong theory and eventually replaced by neuroscience; finally, detailed argument on why folk psychology is wrong and replaced by neuroscience.III. Controversy between Churchland and anti-eliminative materialismist, including criticisms of anti-eliminative materialismist and counterattack of Churchland.IV. Thinking of eliminative materialism, including discussion of three characteristics of eliminative materialism and its theoretical contributions and practical significance. We should use dialectical perspective to look at Churchland’s thought since it is of great significance to the development of Marxist theory and develops contemporary philosophy of mind.