dualist they are separate Flashcards
Such philosophers as Plato take a dualist view and try to offer evidence to suggest a distinction between
for Plato, the key idea of the immortal, immutable soul is valid. The dualist believed that the body and soul are two separate entities and that, unlike the body, the soul is immortal. due to the soul existing in another world, the world of the forms, the soul is capable of certain knowledge. Plato, therefore, deduced that the soul must be unchanging” immortal.
what is the flaw to plates theory
However, there is a flaw to Plato’s theory, how can you have two completely different substances that are the same thing? Plato’s theory suggests the body and soul can work together to achieve a higher level of existence, but if the body and soul are completely different there is no evidence to suggest they would be compatible.
Plato’s theory of an immortal soul is similarly rejected, due a lack of empirical evidence to justify his World of Forms, and the claim of a metaphysical and separable soul contradicts the materialist outlook of our identity being purely physical.
Aquinas took a more religious view of dualism. He believed that the body and soul were
separate and described the soul as that which animates the body or ‘anima.’ According to Aquinas, the soul operates independently of the body. Aquinas believed the only things that are divisible into parts decay. The soul is not divisible and therefore on this basis of Aquinas’ argument it is able to survive death. However, through the link with a particular human body, the soul becomes an individual so even when the body dies the soul that departs has an immortal existence.
what is the story of Emaus
Within one particular story Jesus’ disciples are walking to Emaus. Along the way they are joined by a man, it is only when they arrive at Emaus and offer the man a place to eat and stay that he reveals himself as Jesus.
what is the flaw in aquinas theory
For Christians this will act as firm evidence that there is a body soul distinction, however for those who are not Christian the evidence may not be so reliable.
who would oppose Plato’s theory or a dualist theory and why
However, this theory would be greatly opposed by those who believe in materialism, or monism, the belief that we as humans exist as a single unit of body and soul (or mind) which cannot be separated. It would therefore not be coherent for a monist to believe in disembodied existence as the soul does not have intrinsic value outside of the body.
the diffrence between the soul and body to plato
Plato believed that when the body dies, the soul goes to the realm of the forms to gain knowledge (knowledge argument). The body is in a constant state of change and therefore cannot be the source of reliable truth. In contrast, the soul is immortal and unchanging, thus making it the perfect source of truth and knowledge.
problem with platos argument
no evidence
there is no physical evidence that there is a separate realm in which the soul belongs, making it impossible for Plato to prove his dualist theory. Plato also faced the problem of suggesting how the body and soul connected, because he couldn’t explain how a separate soul could be trapped in a body that isn’t truly real. He offered no explanation as to what it is that connects the body and soul in the physical realm, suggesting that he didn’t know either which therefore weakens his argument altogether.
how does the bible support the dualist view
Evidence for religious views on the soul comes from the bible. * story of Emaus* This supports the dualist view as firstly, it proves that the soul is immortal and lives on after death, and secondly that the soul is separate from the body as the man who claims to be Jesus appears to be unrecognisable implying he has a different physical appearance.
