Materialism and Dualism Flashcards
Lec 7
What is embodiment?
the area of metaphysics examining issues related to human existence. so metaphysical qs about the body (beyond what we can observe with our senses). involves analysis of the self and the body.
What is monism? And what are the two theories?
view that humans are one substance. so all bodily or all mental. mental substances and bodily substances are the same thing. views are that either one substance is a physical material (materialism), matter, body, physical. or that one substance is mental, mind. (very few ppl adopt this view)
What are the 3 perspectives/views of the body?
dualism, monism, holism/phenomenology.
What is materialism?
believe that a body and mind cannot exist independently. each person is a physical object without a distinct mind (so the mind is apart of the body). living human bodies can have mental as well as physical properties but are one and the same. thinks of the body as a unified thing. think that when the body dies so does our mind/soul. we move our bodies bc our neurons fire and enable us to move. believes the mind is reducible to matter and that personal ID comes from genes.
What are materialisms strengths and weaknesses?
strengths: fits in with empirical observations, does not involve concepts difficult to prove with empirical science. weaknesses: unappealing to think of human beings as mere rapid successions of nerves firing, all behaviour is not understood through brain chemistry.
What are the objections to the materialist view?
why be ethical if humans are just machines? doesnt make sense to talk about mental and physical skills independently ie mental imagery.
What is dualism?
humans are two substances, which are separable but linked. body and mind are capable of independent existence. can have mental properties without bodily properties. metaphysical dualism spec is a clear distinction btwn the body and mind. says that mind is not a reducible matter and the personal ID comes form the soul. 1. body existence (physical ) 2. spiritual-mental existence (mind)
What is Platonic dualism?
Plato - the body and soul are separate substances. the soul house a persons personality, the body is a shell to transport and carry the soul. death liberates the soul from the limitations of the body.
What is cartesian dualism?
René Descartes - in his meditations argued that 1. i exist 2. senses can be misled 6. the body and the mind are distinct but connected. think that mind and body are closely linked bc mind realizes the idea of ‘myself’, mind influenced by sensations from the external world. paved way for biomedical model of health.
What are dualisms strengths and weaknesses?
strengths: aligns with everyday lang separating body and mind, readily compatible with most religious beliefs. Weaknesses: lacks empirical evidence to support a non-physical mind.
What are the objections to metaphysical dualism?
lack of empirical evidence (of the mind/soul), led to devaluing of body, uncertain mechanics of how a non-phys entity can control a phys one, doesnt describe humans holistically.
