Reductionism

Just on the question of reductionism, I do not hold that statements about intentionality, qualia, etc. can be reformulated without loss of semantic content as statements about neurons or physical particles. Rather, I hold that (1) mental states are wholly a function of brain states, and (2) that the physical particles composing my brain are governed by the same laws as govern the behaviour of physical particles throughout the universe. Mental states do not, as it were, have a reciprocal causal influence on the physical happenings in the brain. My brain and body are wholly governed by the laws of physics. In short, it is the function of matter to be the sole repository of power; it is the glory and privilege of spirit to be the sole repository of value.