The following text is about philosophy of mind.
Eliminative materialism, advocated by philosophers like Paul Churchland, argues that our everyday psychological concepts—belief, desire, intention—constitute a "folk psychology" that will eventually be replaced by neuroscientific explanations. Just as "phlogiston" was eliminated from chemistry when better theories emerged, terms like "belief" may prove scientifically useless. Critics object that folk psychology succeeds in predicting behavior and that subjective experience must be explained, not eliminated. Yet eliminativists insist that successful prediction doesn't prove a theory's categories match reality—we simply lack better alternatives yet.
What is the main claim of eliminative materialism?
Folk psychology perfectly describes brain processes
Common psychological concepts may be replaced by more accurate neuroscientific ones
Neuroscience has already proven all beliefs are real
Subjective experience is the foundation of all science
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Eliminative materialism argues folk psychology concepts "will eventually be replaced by neuroscientific explanations" as phlogiston was eliminated from chemistry.
- Evidence: Replacement prediction; phlogiston analogy.
- Reasoning: Current concepts may not map onto reality.
- Conclusion: Neuroscience may replace folk psychology categories.
Choice A is incorrect because eliminativists doubt folk psychology's accuracy. Choice C is incorrect because beliefs may not be "real" in scientific terms. Choice D is incorrect because experience may be eliminated, not foundational.