Ned Block

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Ned Block is an American philosopher specializing in the philosophy of mind and cognitive science. He is currently a professor at New York University (NYU), where he holds a joint appointment in the departments of Philosophy and Psychology.

Early Life and Education

Ned Block was born on May 25, 1942. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1971, where he studied under the supervision of Hilary Putnam.

Academic Career

Block began his academic career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he taught from 1971 to 1996. During his tenure at MIT, he made significant contributions to the fields of philosophy of mind and cognitive science. In 1996, he joined the faculty at New York University.

Philosophical Contributions

Ned Block is best known for his work on consciousness, functionalism, and the philosophy of mind. He has introduced several influential concepts and arguments, including the distinction between phenomenal consciousness and access consciousness.

Phenomenal Consciousness vs. Access Consciousness

Block's distinction between phenomenal consciousness (P-consciousness) and access consciousness (A-consciousness) has been highly influential. Phenomenal consciousness refers to the subjective experience or what it is like to be in a particular mental state. In contrast, access consciousness pertains to the availability of information for use in reasoning and guiding behavior.

The Blockhead Argument

Block is also known for the Blockhead argument, which challenges the functionalistic view of the mind. The argument posits a hypothetical machine, "Blockhead," that can simulate human behavior without possessing genuine consciousness.

Selected Publications

• "Troubles with Functionalism" (1978)
• "On a Confusion about a Function of Consciousness" (1995)
• "Two Neural Correlates of Consciousness" (2005)

Awards and Honors

Ned Block has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to philosophy and cognitive science, including fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Related Pages

• Philosophy of mind
• Consciousness
• Functionalism
• Hilary Putnam
• New York University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology