Some Philosophical Ramblings

Ontological Identity

Physicalism is the theory that mental states are nothing but states of the brain. Hence, anger is nothing but a state of the brain. Before discussing the theory its better to have a look at identity.

Identity is either necessary or contingent. If the identity between states of the brain and the physical states is necessary than it is not possible to artificially create intelligence in machines whose bodies are not human-like. More importantly, organisms whose brain states do not have overlapping brain states with ours, cannot have similar mental states. I don' think that a single of my brain state overlaps with a dog's brain state. But I think dogs can get angry.

Hence, the identity, if any, is likely to be contingent. And this means that anger has an epistological existence outside the body. Maybe anger is a functional concept.

Happiness and Effort

Will a supremely happy person make any effort? I don't think so. My reasons are:

1- An effort is directed towards a goal. Achieving the goal increases happiness while not achieving it brings disappointment. A supremely happy person cannot be made any happier and hence effort will only tend to destabilize his happiness.

2- Every thing in the universe wants to attain its objective with minimum effort. Happiness is the objective of rational, self-centered beings. Hence, if effort does not add to happiness it is irrational and hence won't be undertaken.