DB 10 What is Color?

One problem often associated with functionalist theories of mind is the Inverted Spectrum Thought Experiment. One problem for functionalists is that if we experience different qualia from each other yet have similar functional states, then functionalism may not be correct.

One version of this problem is where a certain person “Joe” is born with a different color perception that the rest of us where every time he sees red, we see green, and every time we see red, he sees green.

Part I: If Joe just got a driver’s license and was driving an UBER down Lincoln Blvd with you in the back and was approaching a red light, should you be concerned that he will not stop? Why or why not?

Part II: If we were like Joe and had an inverted color spectrum that is different than other people, would we be able to know this? Explain how we would be able to learn this or why we could not.

DB 10 What is Color? Answer

Yes, this would concern me, knowing that Joe has an inverted color spectrum. It means he would not stop at the red light because, for him, it means go (red = go) and vice versa (green = stop) unless he was taught to stop at the red light and go at the green light.

The reason is that while Joe’s mental states exist, including the differences in colors, his is functionally different. It means he perceives colors to work differently, well, from his point of view. It means Joe would continue driving even with a red light when he was supposed to stop.