Peeking Behind the Icons

By: Herman de Haan

Theme of chapter 8Virtual RealityPhenomenal vs. relational

Virtual VolleyballAre we seeing and playing with the same volleyball?Are we all, in the phenomenal sense, seeing and playing the same game?Do we, in the relational sense, see and play with the same volleyball?

More VolleyballIs the volleyball still there when I don’t look ?Is the volleyball an off white when I don’t look ?What causes me to see the volleyball?Is the volleyball conscious ? Does it have experiences?Are my teammates conscious ?

VOLLEYBALL!!This phenomenal volley ball is identical to the one I just played with. What about the relational volleyballs? Are they identical ?

Virtual BrainWhich brain creates all my conscious experience? The phenomenal brain or the relational brain?Arbitrary but systematicSynesthesia and glasses

Virtual SUPER computer!!Which circuits and software make it all possible? The phenomenal or relational?What are relational circuits? What can we say abut them ?

Relational Realm ??Physicalism- Relational realm is mindless, made of particles, fields and other entities of microphysicsIdealism- Made of MindsDualism- Made from both minds and mindless entities

Which is correct????Does Quantum physics help ?Electron vs. VolleyballSchrödinger's CatWhat about Biology??