Accepted Quote by David Papineau
“If there is such a simple argument for physicalism, how come everybody hasn't always been a physicalist? That's a good question, and there is a good answer. The 'causal completeness of physics' wasn't widely accepted until recently.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Philosophy of Mind, University of Oxford, 2015
Physicalism is compelling yet not universally adopted because its causal completeness claim is recent and contested
In simple terms: Physicalism is logical but not universally accepted
Key Takeaway
Consider the evidence for causal completeness
Themes
philosophy
science
skepticism
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic seminars
- public debates
- education curricula
- media discussions
Key Concepts
Causal completeness
physicalism
philosophical debate
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recent acceptance of causal completeness affect your worldview?
- What evidence would shift your stance on physicalism?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that physicalism cannot account for consciousness or qualia
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
