Theory of mind, logical form and eliminativism

Authors
Citation
J. Collins, Theory of mind, logical form and eliminativism, PHILOS PSYC, 13(4), 2000, pp. 465-490
Citations number
52
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
PHILOSOPHICAL PSYCHOLOGY
ISSN journal
09515089 → ACNP
Volume
13
Issue
4
Year of publication
2000
Pages
465 - 490
Database
ISI
SICI code
0951-5089(200012)13:4<465:TOMLFA>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
I argue for a cognitive architecture in which folk psychology is supported by an interface of a ToM module and the language faculty, the latter provid ing the former with interpreted LF structures which form the content repres entations of ToM states. I show that LF structures satisfy a range of key f eatures asked of contents. I confront this account of ToM with eliminativis m and diagnose and combat the thought that "success" and innateness are inc onsistent with the falsity of folk psychology. I show that, while my ensemb le account of ToM and language refutes the culturalist presuppositions that tend to underlie eliminativist arguments, the falsity of folk psychology i s consistent with the account.