The following text is from a philosophy of mind article.
Anomalous monism, Davidson's position, holds that mental events are physical events while denying psychophysical laws connecting mental and physical descriptions. Token identity (each mental event is some physical event) is maintained without type identity (mental kinds are physical kinds). This seemingly unstable position has generated debate about whether it preserves genuine mental causation or renders the mental causally epiphenomenal.
Which choice best describes the function of the last sentence?
It summarizes the main claims of anomalous monism.
It identifies an ongoing interpretive debate about the position.
It provides neuroscientific evidence about mental causation.
It introduces a new topic about artificial intelligence.
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The last sentence identifies the ongoing debate about whether the position preserves or undermines mental causation.
- Evidence: The sentence states: "This seemingly unstable position has generated debate about whether it preserves genuine mental causation or renders the mental causally epiphenomenal."
- Reasoning: It highlights the key interpretive question: does the view actually give minds causal power?
- Conclusion: The function is to identify an ongoing interpretive debate.
💡 Strategy: Look for "generated debate about whether it preserves... or renders."
Choice A is incorrect because it's about interpretation, not summary. Choice C is incorrect because neuroscience isn't discussed. Choice D is incorrect because AI isn't introduced.