New discussions of emergence

I've discussed the concept of emergence here repeatedly. It is central to my still-developing personal philosophy, as it centers the mind-body problem and indeed the place of the human species within the broader world. Not minor points.

Emergence is the idea that reality is layered, and that one layer arises as the simplifying embodiment and consequent of the complexities of the level that lies beneath it. One notable example of this is the emergence of consciousness from the complexities of life.

As it happens, there has been much discussion of emergence in this sense among contemporary philosophers. I will say a little bit today about three philosophical names to contend with: Jaegwon Kim, Sydney Shoemaker, Warren Shrader.

Jaegwon Kim (1934 - 2019) argued against emergence in the sense I've discussed it. He called it "non-reductive physicalism" and his bottom line was that it cannot be maintained. Physicalism is the future of philosophy, but it must accept a reductive agenda.

Sydney Shoemaker (1931 - 2022) criticized Kim on emergence, in an article starkly titled "Kim on Emergence." Shoemaker created a new vocabulary for discussions of emergence. He said that the emergence of mind from life requires that the ultimate physical micro-entities have "micro-latent causal powers" which manifest themselves only when the setting is right. His view allows for downward causation (i.e. mind influencing body).

Warren Shrader (1970 ) criticized Shoemaker on emergence, in an article analogously entitled "Shoemaker on emergence." Shrader thinks the types of causal powers Shoemaker would recognize is insufficiently comprehensive. I haven't provided Shoemaker's list of types of causal powers here, he who cares can research that easily enough, and I'll provide a link to help with that.

I'll also say that Shrader adds another item to the list and end up with more room for mind as a causative fact in the world than Shoemaker found.

Warren Shrader, Shoemaker on emergence - PhilPapers

It is a great thing that the important underlying concept is receiving such detailed examination.

A Story About Coleridge

This is a quote from a memoir by Dorothy Wordsworth, reflecting on a trip she took with two famous poets, her brother, William Wordsworth, and their similarly gifted companion, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. We sat upon a bench, placed for the sake of one of these views, whence we looked down upon the waterfall, and over the open country ... A lady and gentleman, more expeditious tourists than ourselves, came to the spot; they left us at the seat, and we found them again at another station above the Falls. Coleridge, who is always good-natured enough to enter into conversation with anybody whom he meets in his way, began to talk with the gentleman, who observed that it was a majestic waterfall. Coleridge was delighted with the accuracy of the epithet, particularly as he had been settling in his own mind the precise meaning of the words grand, majestic, sublime, etc., and had discussed the subject with William at some length the day before. “Yes, sir,” says Coleridge, “it is a maj...

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Recent Controversies Involving Nassim Taleb, Part I

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Jamesian Philosophy Refreshed

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