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    Fodor's Language of Thought hypothesis shows that positin... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Discourse Representation Theory (DRT) provides a better account of attitudes than purely model-theoretic or purely sententialist approaches

    Fodor's Language of Thought hypothesis shows that positing representational levels does not explain intentionality but merely relocates the explanatory burden.

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    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Mental representations require interpretation to possess meaning, but interpretation itself is a mental process requiring representation.
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    • 2.Positing multiple representational levels (thought, language, symbols) multiplies explanatory problems rather than solving the original one.
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    • 3.Without an account of how ANY level of representation acquires intrinsic intentionality, the theory leaves the core problem untouched.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
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    • 1.Explaining intentionality at one level may be genuinely explanatory even if it doesn't explain intentionality at all levels simultaneously.
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    • 2.LOT provides a naturalistic account of how thoughts have constituent structure and semantic properties, advancing explanation even if incomplete.
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    • 3.Burden-shifting itself can be legitimate progress: explaining mental content in terms of syntax is more tractable than dualist alternatives.
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    Truth & Knowledge1 linkedPhilosophy of Language1 linked

    Related

    Burden-shifting itself can be legitimate progress: explaining mental content in ...Discourse Representation Theory (DRT) provides a better account of attitudes tha...Explaining intentionality at one level may be genuinely explanatory even if it d...LOT provides a naturalistic account of how thoughts have constituent structure a...
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    Mental representations require interpretation to possess meaning, but interpreta...Positing multiple representational levels (thought, language, symbols) multiplie...Without an account of how ANY level of representation acquires intrinsic intenti...

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    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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