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    Causal continuity theories from Grice to Shoemaker ground... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Ideas of memory cannot literally be the same ideas that were originally experienced

    Causal continuity theories from Grice to Shoemaker ground identity through reliable causal chains, making literal sameness of content defensible even across temporal gaps.

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    1 reason for
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    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Reliable causal chains preserve functional roles: if a mental state reliably causally connects to the same inputs/outputs over time, it constitutes the same content.
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    • 2.Temporal gaps don't break identity in physics (e.g., particles); why should they for mental content if causal relations remain structurally intact?
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    • 3.Without causal continuity grounding identity, content becomes purely intrinsic, making meaning unavailable to physical systems entirely.
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    Reasons Against

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    • 1.Causal reliability requires specifying what counts as 'the same chain'—but this specification already presupposes the identity notion it purports to ground.
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    • 2.Twin Earth cases show content depends on external environment, not internal causal chains, undermining the sufficiency of causal continuity alone.
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    • 3.Gradual causal drift allows content to shift continuously without breaking causal chains, suggesting chains track change rather than establishing sameness.
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    Connections

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    Consciousness & Mind1 linkedPersonal Identity1 linked

    Related

    Causal reliability requires specifying what counts as 'the same chain'—but this ...Gradual causal drift allows content to shift continuously without breaking causa...Ideas of memory cannot literally be the same ideas that were originally experien...Reliable causal chains preserve functional roles: if a mental state reliably cau...
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    Temporal gaps don't break identity in physics (e.g., particles); why should they...Twin Earth cases show content depends on external environment, not internal caus...Without causal continuity grounding identity, content becomes purely intrinsic, ...

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