J. J. C. Smart
Sensations are brain processes: nothing in the world escapes physics.
Life
J. J. C. Smart (1920-2012), an Australian-British philosopher, taught mainly at Adelaide and then at the Australian National University (Canberra). He is one of the founders of the mind-brain identity theory: sensations are brain processes. He also defended act utilitarianism and wrote on time, science and the existence of God.
Main works
Founding article of the mind-brain identity theory.
Argues that science describes the world as it is.
A debate with Bernard Williams; Smart defends act utilitarianism.
In his own words
« That anything should exist at all does seem to me a matter for the deepest awe. »
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceHe argues that the existence of God is not credible given the evidence and the problem of evil.
Haldane & Smart, Atheism and Theism (1996)
Sensations are identical with brain processes; reports of experience can be given in topic-neutral terms that leave no extra non-physical thing.
Smart, 'Sensations and Brain Processes' (1959)
Freedom and determinism are compatible: acting freely means acting from one's own desires, not being uncaused.
Smart, 'Free-Will, Praise and Blame' (1961)
He defends act utilitarianism: the right action is the one with the best consequences for general happiness.
Smart & Williams, Utilitarianism: For and Against (1973)
He sees moral judgements as expressing attitudes rather than describing objective facts.
Smart, Ethics, Persuasion and Truth (1984)