Abstract
The interpretive-sensory access (ISA) theory of self-knowledge claims that one knows one’s own mind by turning one’s capacity to know other minds onto oneself. Previously, researchers mostly debated whether the theory receives the most support from the results of empirical research. They have given much less attention to the question whether the theory is the simplest of the available alternatives. I argue that the question of simplicity should be considered in light of the well-established theories surrounding the ISA theory. I claim that the ISA theory then proves to be the simplest. I reply to objections to this claim related to recent developments in this area of research: the emergence of a unified transparency theory of self-knowledge and the relative establishment of the predictive processing theory.
Highlights
I have suggested that the importance of looking at the two theoretical virtues of simplicity and coherence with surrounding theories in light of one another might have been overlooked in the debate about self-knowledge
For a theory is simpler than the available alternatives only if fewer of the entities that it postulates are new, but whether the postulated entities are new can only be seen in light of what entities are already postulated by surrounding theories that are already relatively well-established
I have suggested that when surrounding theories are taken into account, it becomes evident that the entities postulated by the interpretive-sensory access (ISA) theory are not new
Summary
Theoretical virtues are such theoretical features by which it is rational to guide one’s choice of theory. Theoretical virtues are widely agreed in the scientific community to include the following four theoretical features: simplicity, coherence with surrounding theories that are already relatively well-established, support from the results of empirical research, and scientific fertility or fruitfulness in the sense of the theory predictions making a contribution to further empirical research (Newton-Smith 1981: 223–232). I suggest that the participants of this debate might have overlooked how important it is to consider simplicity in light of other theoretical virtues They might have overlooked how important it is for simplicity to be considered in light of coherence with surrounding theories. When considering whether a given theory of self-knowledge coheres with one of the given surrounding theories, it is important bear in mind that the link that makes them cohere with one another might be provided by a third theory. I suggest that the ISA theory benefits in this respect from the presence of relatively well-established theories of how one knows other minds and how our minds have evolved
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
