👉 The merely project, introduced by philosopher Hilary Putnam, is a philosophical framework that challenges the traditional distinction between internal and external descriptions of mental states. It posits that mental states are not merely internal, subjective experiences but are deeply intertwined with external facts and the environment. Putnam's thought experiment, involving a "punisher" in a fictional game, illustrates how mental states can be defined in terms of their causal roles and interactions with the world, rather than just their internal content. This approach aims to dissolve the mind-body problem by showing that mental states are not isolated from the physical world but are part of a broader, interconnected system.
