Chomsky critiques traditional views on the mind-body problem, arguing that it can only be sensibly posed with a clear conception of "body," which has been undermined by modern physics. He suggests that the material world is defined by our scientific theories rather than a fixed notion of physicality, leading to the conclusion that the mind-body problem lacks coherent formulation. Chomsky posits that as we develop and integrate theories of the mind, we may redefine what is considered "physical" without a predetermined concept of materiality. Critics like Nagel argue that subjectivity and qualia cannot be reduced to material entities, regardless of future scientific advancements. Ultimately, Chomsky advocates for a focus on understanding mental phenomena within the evolving framework of science, rather than getting bogged down in the elusive definitions of "mind" and "body."
