What is Folk Psychology?

This chapter explores various possible interpretations of the claim by eliminativists that "belief," "desire," and other familiar intentional state expressions are among the theoretical terms of a commonsense theory of the mind-a theory that is often called "folk psychology." It considers both internal and external accounts of folk psychology as well as a view that is not compatible with the eliminativist argument, i.e. simulation theory. It argues that simulation theory does not put eliminativism out of business. Rather, if simulation theory is correct, then eliminativists must opt for an external account of folk psychology.