Mind And Body

Question 1

What is the definition of ‘psyche’ according to ancient Greeks?

Answer 1

Best translated as ‘soul’, or ‘the life principle’ (the thing that makes something alive)
The psyche was also considered to give a living thing its identity- the principle or essence that makes that thing /that thing/ and not something else

Question 2

Define dualism

Answer 2

The theory that the mind and the body must be seperate, with the mind quite distinct from the brain
Often manifests itself in the belief that we are composed of both a soul and a body
Duellists include Socrates, Plato and Descartes

Question 3

What is the mind/body problem?

Answer 3

A central debate in metaphysics
Asking questions such as: kinds of things are the mind and the body? How are they related? Where does body end and mind begin? How do body and mind react?

Question 4

Define monism

Answer 4

The belief that they mind and body are one and the same

Question 5

Define Materialism/Physicalism

Answer 5

The belief that there exists only the physical body, of which the mind is just one aspect, located in or identical to the brain

Question 6

Define idealism

Answer 6

The belief that there is only a non physical mind, and that the brain is a purely mental phenomenon

Question 7

Define the dualism vs materialism debate

Answer 7

The debate as to whether the mind and body are seperate entities or one and the same

Question 8

What are some examples of popular evidence for and appeal for dualism?

Answer 8

• spiritual experiences or ‘out of body’ experiences
• a common way of viewing ourselves is as having bodies but being quite distinct from them- seeing self-identity as held within the mind
• it is difficult to accept that a purely physical thing such as the brain could produce the complexities of thoughts and feelings which define the human experience
• privileged access: your mind is accessible only to you, while your body is a public entity

Question 9

What are some examples for and popular evidence for materialism?

Answer 9

• the materialist view is overwhelmingly favoured in contemporary philosophy
• neuroscience continues to expand and demonstrate links between specific parts of the brain and our mental functions
• our species evolved from single-called organisms, same as other species, and grows from a single cell. At what point in evolution could a non-physical element have intervened in a physical process?
• Ockham’ razor: why argue for an additional ethereal substance if we can explain the mental world without it?

Question 10

Define rationalism

Answer 10

The belief that the way to work out the truth about the world is through rational contemplation rather than the senses, which can be deceived