The Problem of Other Minds: A Philosophical Essay and Analysis

This essay delves into the philosophical problem of other minds, a central concern for philosophical skeptics. It examines the challenges in understanding the mentality of other human beings, particularly as discussed by John Stuart Mill. The essay addresses the epistemological and conceptual problems associated with perceiving and comprehending the mental states of others, highlighting the asymmetry in understanding one's own mind versus the minds of others. It further explores Mill's proposed solutions through analogical inferences, considering both its potential and limitations in real-world scenarios. The essay concludes by reflecting on the debate surrounding the ability to understand other minds, rather than questioning their existence, inviting further consideration of this complex philosophical issue. Desklib provides access to this and other student-contributed assignments.

Running head: THE PROBLEM OF OTHER MINDS – ESSAY OUTLINE
THE PROBLEM OF OTHER MINDS – ESSAY OUTLINE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1THE PROBLEM OF OTHER MINDS – ESSAY OUTLINE
Introduction
Carruthers (2013) suggest that the problem of the other minds majorly focus on the
challenges in the understanding of the mentality that might vary from person to person. The
following essay deals with the philosophical problems that are related to the problem of the
mind, the major concern of the philosophical sceptics. The concerned paper discusses the
views that were presented by the eminent philosopher John Stuart Mills. The assignment
attempts a study on the fact that is related to the matters pertaining to the functionality of the
minds of people as identified by other people who have been surrounding them.
Body
1st Paragraph
The paragraph deals with the epistemological problem as well as the conceptual
problem. The epistemological problem is to be defined at the beginning of the paragraph. The
definition of the conceptual problem should follow thereafter. Birks and Mills (2015) opine
that the conceptual problem is majorly highlighted in order to bring forth the solution to the
problems that are posed by the epistemological factors that are involved within the study of
the various factors that are related to the study of the minds of the other people. The state of
mind of people might be understood extremely well by the people who tend to surround
them. The concerned people are known to have been consciously aware of the various stages
that they might go through in their daily course of life. The theories further suggest that the
people might have a knowledge on the various matters that pertain to the daily activities of
the other person but might fail to have knowledge on the matters that pertain to the mental
health of the concerned person. According to Overgaard (2013), the epistemological issue is
raised among the people due to the problems created by the asymmetrical understanding of
the various factors that pertain to the psychology of the human beings. The non-receipt of the

2THE PROBLEM OF OTHER MINDS – ESSAY OUTLINE
proper knowledge on the matters pertaining to the understanding of the other humans might
pose to be a greater trouble for the concerned human being therefor leading to the
epistemological problems. Mills further suggests that the concerned person might face a
problem in the matters that pertain to the understanding of the mental state of the people
surrounding the concerned person rather than having a better understanding of the mental
state of the concerned person himself. The example cited by the experts state that the
concerned person might have an idea of the fact that pain is experienced by the concerned
person but might not be able to assess the ways in which the person affected by pain has been
suffering. Thus, the state of problems might arise due to the fact that the person might possess
he knowledge on his own state of mind but might not have access to the factors that are
related to the state of mind as experienced by the other people.
2nd Paragraph
This paragraph deal with the factors that pertain to the conceptual problem. The
conceptual problems encountered by the human beings are known to be based on the fact that
the concerned person might try to analyse the mental state of the people in his surroundings
based on the mental state and the feelings that he has been experiencing. The conceptual
problem is known to have arisen during the conditions wherein the concerned person might
attempt to experience the state of mind faced by some other person without actually being in
that state.
3rd Paragraph
The paragraph would deal with the factors that pertain to the solutions that according
to Broad (2014) were provided by the eminent philosopher John Stuart Mill. Mill had
suggested that the problem of the other minds might be solved through the various analogical
inferences that are related to the other minds. Gallagher & Zahavi (2013) opined that the
solution that was provided by the philosopher meant to encourage the belief that all the

3THE PROBLEM OF OTHER MINDS – ESSAY OUTLINE
people present within the concerned area shared the same mind. The others however, argue
that the concerned solution might not be effective in the real-life scenario since not all people
would react in the similar manner in a given situation. Mill (2015) tends to state that the
concerned person might assume a similarity in the mental state of the people surrounding him
due to the similarity in the external features of the concerned person.
Conclusion
The solution that was provided by the eminent philosopher on the matters that pertain
to the problem of the other minds is estimated to be agreeable by the members of the
concerned community. The other experts suggest that the question might exist on the factors
that pertain to the ability of the human mind and not the presence of the mind of the person.

4THE PROBLEM OF OTHER MINDS – ESSAY OUTLINE
References
Birks, M., & Mills, J. (2015). Grounded theory: A practical guide. Sage.
Broad, C. D. (2014). The mind and its place in nature. Routledge.
Carruthers, P. (2013). Introducing Persons: Theories and Arguments in the Philosophy of the
Mind. Routledge.
Gallagher, S., & Zahavi, D. (2013). The phenomenological mind. Routledge.
Mill, J. S. (2015). On Liberty, Utilitarianism, and other essays. Oxford University Press,
USA.
Overgaard, S. (2013). Wittgenstein and other minds: Rethinking subjectivity and
intersubjectivity with Wittgenstein, Levinas, and Husserl. Routledge.