Question

1. What does Nagel mean by "the subjective character of experience?"

2. Do you agree that bats have experiences? Why?

3. Does Nagel believe in the existence of facts beyond the reach of any concept? Why? How do you know?

4. According to Nagel, how does reflection on what it is like to be a bat relate to the mind body problem? Do you agree? Why?

Answer 1

According to Nagel, subjective character of experience implies that each individual or organism differs in their perception of things, concepts, and events in the universe. Each of us live in different a different reality, and this reality is constructed based based on our unique perspectives of the world around us. Every organism has a unique point of view, which another organism cannot experience. For instance, a human can never know what it is truly like to exist like any other mammal such as a bat. Bats possess consciousness and there therefore capable of having experiences. Given their distinct sensory and perceptual capacities, it is impossible for a human being to feel what a bat does.

Please post the other questions separately as we are supposed to answer just one question or four sub parts of a question.