Does Neuroplasticity Support the Hypothesis of Multiple Realizability?

Philosophy of Science 89 (1):107-127 (2022)
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Abstract

It is commonly maintained that neuroplastic mechanisms in the brain provide empirical support for the hypothesis of multiple realizability. We show in various case studies that neuroplasticity stems from preexisting mechanisms and processes inherent in the neural structure of the brain. We argue that not only does neuroplasticity fail to provide empirical evidence of multiple realization, its inability to do so strengthens the mind-body identity theory. Finally, we argue that a recently proposed identity theory called Flat Physicalism can be enlisted to explain the current state of the mind-body problem more adequately.

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Author's Profile

Meir Hemmo
University of Haifa

Citations of this work

Hempel’s Dilemma: Not Only for Physicalism.Erez Firt, Meir Hemmo & Orly Shenker - 2021 - International Studies in the Philosophy of Science 34 (2):101-129.
The Revenge of Moral Twin Earth.Alexios Stamatiadis-Bréhier - forthcoming - Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy:1-17.
Is the mind in the brain in contemporary computational neuroscience?Meir Hemmo & Orly Shenker - 2023 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 100 (C):64-80.

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