Simone Gozzano

University of L’Aquila

Phenomenal Roles

20 December 2019, 16:00

Faculdade de Letras de Lisboa

Sala Mattos Romão (Departamento de Filosofia)

Abstract: I argue that phenomenal properties are dispositional in nature. To this end, I argue that these properties are individuated by their phenomenal roles, which I distinguish in internal – individuating pain per se – and external – determining further non painful phenomenal states. Then I argue that such individuation overcomes difficulties raised by Lowe, because these phenomenal roles can be organized in a necessarily asymmetrical net, thus favoring their individuation. Thus organized, the individuation conditions of phenomenal roles fare better with respect to the solutions proposed by Bird and Yates, because they allow for multiple realizability. I also provide reasons to argue that these roles satisfy modal fixity, as posited by Bird, and can be considered as substantial properties entrenched in laws of nature.