Lanugauge Understanding

This concept takes the traditional analogous argument and extends it (patches) such that it implies involutary communication. H. H. Price stated that the problem with the traditional analogical theory is that it would only provide evidence of the existance of other minds, but not justifiable proof thereof. Price, then procedes to bring forth what is called, the Intuitive Theory. This means that there is (involuntary) communication between two bodies, any sort of information exchange only so long as you recognise and understand it.

Any statement (aka stimuli) has a symbolic characteristic. You merely entertain this stimuli until you can verify it. When it's verified, it may be said that there exist another mind. Take, for example, the following scenario:

1. you perceive (sense) stimuli
2. you understand (or symbolise) this stimuli
3. you verify this stimuli

Furthermore, repeated occurences strengthen your belief that the originator of that stimuli is actually another mind. Price also stated that we can never have conclusive contact with other minds. Hence, sufficient evidence is the most that really can be demanded, proof is nonsensical.

Norman Malcolm states that this is still an analogous theory which presents a different problem. Malcolm states that the additional problem with Price's theory is that you are lead to believe that if intelligible symbols were coming from inanimate objects, under Price's theory you must believe that these inanimate objects have a (disembodied) mind. Malcolm also brings up the statement that by introspection he knows that when he feels a certain way, he would enunciate certain combinations of sounds. So if I see these combination of sounds in another thing, that they must be feeling what I feel. It does very little to solve the problem of lieing &c, because one still cannot verify the feelings of this other person.