Theories of Mind and Pain

Lewis, David. "Mad Pain and Martian Pain." The Nature of Mind. Ed. David M. Rosenthal. New York: Oxford UP, 1991. 229-234.

I. There is some sense in which pain is alike for all. However:

A. Beings may differ in the sense that their pain may have different sources.

B. Beings may differ in the sense that their pain may be experienced differently--e.g., a Martian's, a madman's.

II. Theory of mind that assumes the possibility of pain must account for causal and experiential differences in experience of pain--two different kinds of contingency.

A. Identity theory: accounts for common man and madman, ignoring (common) Martian; i.e., source the same but not experienced as such.

B. Functionalism/behaviorism: accounts for common man and Martian, ignoring madman; i.e., experience the same but source of pain different.

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