Well, there are two issues here. The first is how does the CONTENT of the mind form, i.e. what brain chemistry or structures result in various experience. I really don't think it can be possible to fully enumerate a brain state-- instead, we'll have to resort to statistical models and conceptual shortcuts. But in doing this, are we rounding out the butterfly from the butterfly effect?
The second issue is one of the existence of mind. It seems unlikely that any understanding of HOW mind works will be able to explain to physical monists WHY mind exists in any physical system. Why does the processing of light and sound and the outputting of behaviors require sentience? That's always going to be a philosophical question, IMO.
The second issue is one of the existence of mind. It seems unlikely that any understanding of HOW mind works will be able to explain to physical monists WHY mind exists in any physical system. Why does the processing of light and sound and the outputting of behaviors require sentience? That's always going to be a philosophical question, IMO.
