Property Dualism - 1389 Words

This essay assesses property dualism, a theory of mind. It proclaims the existence of a single, physical substance (unlike Cartesian dualism), but argues that this single substance has two potential properties: physical and mental states that are not reducible. The idea that mental states are non-reducible properties of brain states is the central tenant of a theory of mind called property dualism. However, before we can assess the theory we must be aware that the question assumes the existence of mental states and as such we cannot answer this question from some perspectives (e.g. eliminative materialism) Property dualism proclaims the existence of a single, physical substance (unlike Cartesian dualism), but argues that this single†¦show more content†¦A more damaging attack is to question whether property dualism does indeed solve the problem of location associated with substance dualism. Just because mental properties supervene physical properties does not explain where they are, just how they interact with physical properties. Furthermore if mental states are properties of physical matter in the same way that physical states are, then how is it so that we can scientifically measure physical properties, but not the mental sates that they give rise to? It seems highly problematic for property dualism to claim that there are facts that cannot be measured scientifically; and this issue also renders the theory unfalsifiable. To continue this thread, what is different between physical properties in my brain that supposedly give rise to mental states and the physical properties in my washing machine that apparently do not? In response to this issue, complexity has been invoked as this can give rise to emergent properties. However, if complexity is used as differentiating property between systems with and without mental states, can we not point to other systems with complexity rivalling that of the human mind and ask if they experience mental states? Maybe the internet experiences mental states, or weather systems? In addition we must be entitled to ask at what point a biological system becomes sufficiently complex to experience mental states. Would this make aShow MoreRelatedDualism And Dualism970 Words   |  4 Pagesbe making my own argument for a dualist and supply the physicalist response to the argument and its validity. Understanding the difference between dualism and physicalism is beneficial to the mind and body problem. Descartes was a substance dualist. He believed that there were two kinds of substance: matter and mind. The broad definition of dualism is a view in which the body and mind are completely separate entities constructed with different kinds of things. The mind is made of an immaterial substanceRead MoreEssay The Mind-Brain Problem Concerning Dualism and Materialism830 Words   |  4 PagesMind-Brain Problem Concerning Dualism and Materialism I am faced with the philosophical task of defending either dualism or materialism, depending on which one is most attractive to me. So either I support the theory of dualism, which is the belief that there is both a physical and a spiritual state, or I believe in materialism, which is the belief that everything that exists is material or physical. Although I believe materialism to be easier to prove, I find dualism more attractive to believeRead MoreDualism And Belief That The Mind And Brain Essay1201 Words   |  5 PagesMoreland in his argument for dualism, he states that humans are composed of both an immaterial substance and a physical substance. Moreland notes that there are contrasting differences between the minds and the brains and that they are ultimately separate entities. By defending dualism, Moreland seeks to make nonbelievers believe in immaterial souls, while discrediting materialism. We can look at the arguments in which Moreland uses to support the argument of d ualism and belief that the mind andRead MoreArgument of Dualism1036 Words   |  5 PagesArguments of Dualism Dualism is the theory that mind and matter are two distinct things. The main argument for dualism is that facts about the objective external world of particles and fields of force, as revealed by modern physical science, are not facts about how things appear from any particular point of view, whereas facts about subjective experience are precisely about how things are from the point of view of individual conscious subjects. They have to be described in the first person asRead MoreDescartes Teachings On Dualism977 Words   |  4 Pages To understand how the dualist commits a category mistake, one must first understand Descartes’ teachings on dualism from the Meditations on First Philosophy. Firstly, Descartes sees the mind as an immaterial, non-physical soul. He believes that his thoughts can be altered but he can never be tricked into the thinking that he is thinking when he is not. While he has complete faith in the existence of his mind, he doubts the existence of his body and the existence of other people s minds. The reasonRead MoreRelationship Between Mind And The Brain1270 Words   |  6 Pagescentury. The mind-body problem contains a variety of approaches that normally fall under dualism or monism. The dualist maintains a distinct separation between the mind and body. The two main forms of dualism are property dualism and substance dualism. The property dualist believes there is only one kind of substance that is physical, which contains two distinct properties: physical property and mental property. The substance dualist’s view claims there are two varieties of substances that compriseRead MoreTheories of Philosophy2533 Words   |  11 Pagesenables us to understand, that is the mind? To answer this rather complicated problem there are many solutions, or theories, each with their good points but none which are totally convincing, though some seem more though than others. These theories are Dualism, the belief that mind and matter are d ifferent substances, behaviourism, the belief that for every mental state you can observe a behaviour, physicalism, the belief that mind is brain, and functionalism, the belief that is something puts out the rightRead MoreLife After Death By Bertrand Russell Essay1389 Words   |  6 Pagesthe question by assuming that souls exist. By assuming that, Plato comes to the conclusion that souls are immortal, but if the soul does not exist, how would immortality happen? Plato puts forward no theory for if there is no such thing as a soul. Dualism is also put forward by Descartes who said that the mind and body are totally separate entities and that human life is a â€Å"union of a mind and a physical body, which are causally interconnected† (Zelinski â€Å"Cartesian†). Descartes made this claim withRead MoreThe Strengths and Weaknesses of Dualism4580 Words   |  19 PagesDualism is the belief that reality consists of two different, separate substances: that of the mental a nd that of the physical. In philosophy of mind, the belief that the mental and physical are deeply different in kind: thus the mental is at least not identical with the physical. It directly opposes materialism, as dualism dictates that the mind is unidentifiable to the body, as opposed to stating that the mind and body exist as one. The concept of dualism is not only fundamental in philosophyRead MoreDualism: Concerns and Issues Essay2086 Words   |  9 Pages Dualism is a broad term that can encompass many areas within philosophy itself. In aspect to metaphysics, it classifies the types of entities in the world into two subcategories, physical and non physical substance. While this may appear to be a very wide and ambiguous opinion, it becomes very specific in regards to our own existence. Paul Churchland puts it very explicitly in his book Matter and Consciousness, and defines dualism as the idea that, â€Å"the essential nature of conscious