thesis
thesis
thesis
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Information (in the actual world) has two aspects, a physical and a phenomenal aspect. Wher-<br />
ever there is a phenomenal state, it realises an information state, an information state that is<br />
also realised in the cognitive system of the brain. Conversely, for at least some physically real-<br />
ised information spaces, whenever an information state in that space is realised physically, it is<br />
also realised phenomenally.<br />
This principle does not on its own come close to constituting a full psychophysical theory.<br />
Rather, it forms a sort of template for a psychophysical theory by providing a basic framework<br />
in which detailed laws can be cast. In fleshing out the principle into a theory, all sorts of ques-<br />
tions need to be answered. For example, to just which physically realised information spaces<br />
does the basic principle apply?<br />
Before considering some of the consequences of this approach, it would only be fair to<br />
quote his caveat (277):<br />
I do not present a full-fledged theory with a comprehensive set of basic laws, but I put forward<br />
suggestions about the constructs involved in these laws, and about what the broad shape of<br />
the laws might be. This could be considered a prototheory: a skeleton around which a theory<br />
might be built.<br />
The ideas in this chapter are much sketchier and more speculative than those elsewhere in the<br />
book, and they raise as many questions as they answer. They are also the most likely to be en-<br />
tirely wrong.<br />
Nonetheless, for the purposes of this paper, we may note that a hard-headed naturalist<br />
has to accept much of what Chalmers has to say. Although his principle of organisational<br />
invariance is the most likely to be queried by others, denying the causal closure of the physi-<br />
cal world would entail taking a big step away from the prevailing scientific world-view.<br />
Therefore, any criticisms that can be levelled at Chalmers’ theory are also likely to detract<br />
from other naturalistic accounts. To the extent that there are successful, the natural theologi-<br />
ans’ position is strengthened.<br />
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