Deck 37: Gilbert Ryle: Exorcising Descartess Ghost in the Machine

Question 1

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-According to Ryle, the "official doctrine" is

A) mind and body are distinct but have fundamentally the same properties.
B) mind and body both have extension and are publicly observable.
C) mind and body are both governed by mechanical laws.
D) mind and body are separate and fundamentally different in basic properties.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-According to Ryle, underlying Descartes's view is the notion that what exists has either

A) physical existence or mental existence.
B) physical existence or material existence.
C) mental existence or spiritual existence.
D) complete existence or incomplete existence.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-According to Ryle, someone who accepts the official doctrine has no good reason to believe that

A) his own mind is real.
B) bodies are real.
C) other minds exist.
D) minds are bodies.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-According to Ryle, the doctrine of the ghost in the machine is

A) true.
B) false.
C) unproblematic.
D) scientific.

Question 5

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-For Descartes, the mental is just another variety of the mechanical.

Question 6

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-Ryle argues that those who accept the ghost in the machine doctrine make a category mistake.

Question 7

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-If Ryle is correct, the contrast between mind and matter will dissipate.

Question 8

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-Ryle believes that the mind is made of a different sort of stuff than the body is.

Question 9

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-Ryle thinks the official doctrine is absurd.

Question 10

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another.

Question 11

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-Ryle says that Descartes was caught between two supreme motivating factors-science and religion or morality.

Question 12

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-Ryle says that there is no great mystery how the body can interact with the mind.

Question 13

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-Ryle argues that the notion of a ghost mysteriously lodged in a machine is the result of a category mistake.

Question 14

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-Ryle says that Descartes was not a good philosopher.

Question 15

In this selection Ryle criticizes Cartesian dualism, which he labels "the Ghost in the Machine," as involving a category mistake. A category mistake is a confusion one slips into when something that belongs to one category or context is mistakenly taken to belong to another. Ryle argues that just because we speak of bodily functions and mental functions as different in no way entails that they are two entirely separate entities. Ryle believes that this functional language can be reduced to observation language.
-Descartes did not respect science.