The three world problem: How to do philosophy of mind without metaphysics

This article suggests that the influence of philosophy of mind and metaphysics in the study of consciousness, has become excessive and is not well-founded. Metaphysical terms are often ill-defined and equivocal, and philosophy of mind relies largely on weak, concrete arguments which lack the power of more abstract mathematical formulations. An example is given of a mathematical argument, the Three Worlds Problem, which cannot be adequately addressed or challenged within a traditional metaphysical framework.