Abstract

LUPORINI DE FARIAI, Daniel  and  RODRIGUESII, Cae. Language, human nature and cognition: Wittgenstein and the mind-body problem. Ciênc. cogn. [online]. 2011, vol.16, n.1, pp.049-057. ISSN 1806-5821.

Abstract The argumentative route of this work, which is the result of theoretical research, begins with the concept of philosophy for Wittgenstein. Following this introduction, we argue that, regarding the mental plane, both Cartesian and Empiricist tradition are based on a dichotomy between the "internal" and the "external", assumption denied by Wittgenstein, for such asymmetries inevitably lead to solipsism. By exposing the idea of human nature in Wittgenstein, we observe that, for the philosopher, it makes no sense to separate mind from body, the internal and the external, for human beings constitute a psychophysical unity "thrown" in the flow of life, language and action. In the final part of the paper, we speculate about the possibility of machines coming to express intelligent behavior. In this sense, we understand that, for Wittgenstein, to behave as a human being would be something that goes far beyond properly performing certain logical procedures, such as computers do today. In short, to behave or act as human is to be able to express feelings, genuine desires, fears and anxieties, as well as being susceptible to feeling pleasure and pain, and this, indeed, is thought to be a distant horizon still to be covered by machines. © Cien. Cogn. 2011; Vol. 16 (1): 049-057.

Keywords : the mind-body problem; cognitive science; artificial intelligence.

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