The Spinoza effect on the views of contemporary philosopher of mind Donald Davidson

Philosophy of mind is a branch of philosophy which focuses on humans? cognitive processes and keeps philosophers busy with different terminologies. Nature of mind and body, and relation of them, in a word, the mind-body problem, has been a long-running problem of philosophy of mind.The purpose of this thesis is, to examining the mind-body problem in general terms, determine the positions of Spinoza and Donald Davidson and reveal Spinoza?s intellectual effects on Davidson.Especially Davidson?s views are examined in detail and by way of Davidson?s contemporary mind terminology and a contemporarary reading of Spinoza, these two thinkers thoughts are examined within the scope of the mind-body problem.Both philosophers are similiar in terms of their ontology. The basic difference between them is, whereas Spinoza?s substance is not materialistic, Davidson?s substance is physical. Both philosophers maintain two conceptually different realms: physical and mental.Although Davidson understands substance as something physical, he put emphasis on that he?s not a materialist nor a physicalist and in this context, he rejects reductionism.Mental realm, being different from phsyical realm in terms of not having nomological explanations, presents an anomalous caharacter and this character provide basis to Davidson?s position in the mind-body problem, anomalous monism.Anomalous monism, has two principles: psychophysical anomalism and psychological anomalism. Whereas psychophysical anomalism rejects nomological connections between mental and phsical states or events; psychological anomalism rejects nomological connections between mental states or events with other mental states or events.Spinoza?s views have great influence on Davidson. Davidson particularly influenced by Spinoza?s view of there can not be psychophysical interaction between mental and physical realms which are kept seperated in Spinoza?s system. On the other hand, Davidson with reinterpreting Spinoza, tried to make him look like closer to his own system.Key Words1. Anomalous Monism2. Psycophysical Laws3. Reductionism4. Holism5. Causality