What is the relationship between Identity Theory and physicalism?

Philosophy Identity Theory Questions



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What is the relationship between Identity Theory and physicalism?

Identity Theory is a specific version of physicalism, which is the philosophical position that everything that exists is ultimately physical in nature. Identity Theory specifically argues that mental states and processes are identical to physical states and processes in the brain. In other words, mental states, such as thoughts and emotions, are not separate entities from physical states, but rather they are one and the same. Therefore, the relationship between Identity Theory and physicalism is that Identity Theory is a form of physicalism that specifically applies to the mind-body problem, asserting that mental states are identical to physical states.