The Identity Theory and Refutation of Searle's Major Objections

Abstract

I present a version of a nonrestricted identity theory as well as refutations of Searle's objections to the theory. The objections countered are: 1) the theory violates Leibnitz' Law and 2) that consciousness is not reducible to neurons. Searle's arguments are refuted on the basis of the first-personal nature of consciousness. It does not violate Leibnitz' law when regarded from the subjective view of the individual under observation and it appears to be irreducible because it cannot be observed from a third-person perspective. In the discussion I point out why consciousness mistakenly appears to be immaterial instead of physicochemical and I suggest a method by which consciousness might be studied empirically.