What is Metaphysics of the Mind? | Philosophy With Shannon

What is the Mind?

This is what AQA says:

Features of mental states:

All or at least some mental states have phenomenal properties
- Some, but not all, philosophers use the term 'qualia' to refer to these properties, where 'qualia' are defined as 'intrinsic and non-intentional phenomenal properties that are introspectively accessible'
All or at least some mental states have intentional properties (ie intentionality).

The Metaphysics of Mind is a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of the mind, mental properties, and consciousness.
The point of it is to explore questions about the relationship between the mind and the body and the nature of mental states.
There are normally two schools of thought on this: Physicalism and Dualism.
If you are a physicalist, you believe that everything is ultimately physical.
If you are a dualist, you believe that there are at least some properties that are not physical.

Physicalism is the idea that everything that exists is physical. This means tangible and occupying space.
When we apply this to the mind, it means that the things we call mental states and consciousness are actually characterised by brain activity, neurons, electrical signals and bodily processes.
So your feelings and thoughts and memories are actually part of the physical world.
This idea of physicalism began with the Ancient Greek and Ancient Indians: Atomism.
Atomism is the idea that reality is made up of just atoms and nothingness.

Dualism is the idea that there are two fundamental types of stuff in the world: physical stuff, but also non-physical stuff.
Things like your emotions, memories and thoughts seem difficult to classify in physical terms.
If you are a dualist, you believe that there is a part of you that is non-physical but phenomenal.
A phenomenal property is what it is like to have an experience or what it is like to have a certain mental state.
For example, phenomenal properties are what it's like to feel sad and knowing that it is a different feeling from being happy.
Phenomenal properties are private and subjective - only you can know what your mental state is like.

This is the property of mental states, such as thoughts, beliefs, or desires, being about, directed toward, or representing something outside of themselves.
Intentionality is when your mental state (like happiness) points to something (like looking at a cute dog).