dual-aspect monism

Question 1

what is dual aspect monism

Answer 1

• view that mind & matter are two aspects of one substance
• mind is first person subjective experience (qualia) where as brain events are third person objective and neither is reducible to other
• double aspect theory thought to receive support from principle of complementarity in quantum mechanics

Question 2

what does process theology abandon

Answer 2

• what is seen as indefensible elements within Christianity such as God’s supposed omnipotence and the idea of creation from nothing

Question 3

what is the agenda

Answer 3

• revisionary agenda
• argument below says that God is a combo of mind and all the matter of the universe
• all things are a combo or mind and matter
• all things therefore live on in mind of God after death & this includes persons

Question 4

process theology abandons idea God is above space-time

Answer 4

• means relationship between God and universe needs to be defined
• God is di-polar meaning that God is in universe & universe is in God so in rough sense God & universe are the mental & physical poles of what exists -> two fundamental aspects of reality

Question 5

if double aspect is true of God/universe then must be true for all

Answer 5

• so humans, animals, veggies, rocks, water etc down to level of electrons -> all entities have a dual aspect
• has to be case as entities are literally ‘in’ God
• all persons therefore in God

Question 6

when people die they are objectively immortal

Answer 6

• most Christians believe in subjective immortality so exist as same thinking subjects they were before death
• on Process view, immortality is objective because persons stay forever in mind of God but their nature as persons is limited as no longer have own self conscious states
• only God has subjective immortality

Question 7

objections to dual-aspect monism

Answer 7

• that God is not omnipotent or omniscient so is not worthy of worship
• denies the divinity of Jesus & does away with souls whereas soul is a ‘bedrock’ item for most Christians
• for some, objective immortality is not worth having as ‘you’ are not self aware

Question 8

support for dual-aspect monism

Answer 8

• it is far more realistic in terms of its science. In particular, dual-aspect monism provides a coherant understanding of nature of persons without relying on some mysterious ‘soul stuff’
• does away with an anthropomorphic (human-centred) universe. Universe does not revolve around humans: all entities made in same way with mental & physical aspects. In continuation of biological entities after death, humans have no position of special privilege
• leaves open possibility that persons could survive subjective immortality
• consistent with functionalist idea of uploading minds onto a computer platform since such a platform must already possess a mental aspect