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The identity theory, also known as reductive materialism, is one of the views

Churchland uses to describe mind-brain correlation. Churchland believes that

the mental states of the body are one and in the same (double aspectism) with

brain states. They are the same because the biochemical actions produced in

brain states (release of serotonin and acetylcholine) have direct interaction with

the mental states (mood disorders such as depression). With the help of

psychological and physiological evidence the identity theory can be better

supported. It has not yet been proven but following along with the symptoms,

diagnosis, and treatment of biochemical disorders of the brain the identity theory

has a strong case towards becoming reality.

Reductive materialism is known to be the reducing of mental activity into

physical activity. In its simplest form thoughts are just states of the brain. This is

basically a similar form of Descartes line, "I think, therefore I am" or vice versa.

Churchland first tries to parallel the identity theory with sound and light.

"We now know that sound is just a train of compression waves traveling through

the air..." (BR323). Society does know or has some common sense notion of

how sound travels, yet we still consider it just "sound". Even though we are not

automatically thinking when we here a sound, "it is waves traveling through air",

we are aware to the fact that is how sound travels. This parallelism is

intertheoretic reduction; taking an older version of reductive materialism and

using it to help explain a newer version, Churchland's identity theory.

Neural activity and neuroscience play a major role in the identity theory.

"...the correct account...