Modal Argument: The Mind is Not the Brain

[bennyboy]

That's a silly request. We don't actually have any way of KNOWING something/someone has a mind except by talking to them.

Yes, we do. Strap sensing electrodes to an animal. Poke him with a cattle prod once every 15 seconds but turn it on only every 5th poke or so. The anxiety rise between the fourth and fifth poke is evidence of a thinking mind. This test can be extrapolated and can measure various levels in complexity of thought. The more complex the pattern - the higher level of sentience.

Your definition of knowing there's a mind and mine are not the same. I could do the same to YOU and not know in an absolute sense that there is an actual mind there, rather than a philosophical zombie brain that BEHAVES aware but isn't. Basically, I have to start with solipsism, and then choose what assumptions I'm willing to make.