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Frontiers of Philosophy in China

ISSN 1673-3436

ISSN 1673-355X(Online)

CN 11-5743/B

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Front. Philos. China    2021, Vol. 16 Issue (1) : 86-103    https://doi.org/10.3868/s030-010-021-0006-3
SPECIAL THEME
The Inverted Spectrum, Qualia, and Wittgenstein’s Grammatical Analysis
MA Fangfang()
School of Philosophy, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
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Abstract

In “Wittgenstein and Qualia,” Ned Block presents an inversion argument for qualia. Taking Wittgenstein’s notes as the starting point, Block argues that if we admit the possibility of the “innocuous” inverted spectrum, we will have to accept the “dangerous” inverted spectrum, where qualia are ineffable contents of experience contents that cannot be fully captured by public language. In my opinion, Block’s argument merits suspicion as it begs the question. While claiming to oppose the inner arena model like Wittgenstein, he presupposes its validity in his argument. I will finally examine how Wittgenstein dissolves confusion about qualia by the way of grammatical analysis.

Keywords inverted spectrum      qualia      grammatical analysis      Wittgenstein      Block     
Issue Date: 15 April 2021
 Cite this article:   
MA Fangfang. The Inverted Spectrum, Qualia, and Wittgenstein’s Grammatical Analysis[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2021, 16(1): 86-103.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fpc/EN/10.3868/s030-010-021-0006-3
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fpc/EN/Y2021/V16/I1/86
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