Mind, Body and Soul Flashcards
Dualism
The belief that humans have two elements - Body and Soul
Substance Dualism
The two elements (Body and Soul) are wholly different substances
Monism
The view that humans are one substance
Materialism
The only substance is a material one
Identity Theory
All mental activity is centred in the brain and is purely physical
Soul One (Dawkins)
Non-material life force (mystic jelly) and ancient idea being killed by science
Soul Two (Dawkins)
Intellect, reason or consciousness
Category Error
Incorrectly assuming that the mind and body are of the same logical type
Plato’s Thoughts on the Soul
soul belongs in the world of the forms; its immoral and perfect but is imprisoned by the body
Charioteer
the soul has three elements, the charioteer is reason which is steering the two horses are physical desire and emotion, the reason os on charge so theirs harmony in the soul
Argument from Knowledge
the knowledge and recognition from things in the forms, demonstrating a prior knowledge
Argument from Opposites
just like light and dark, the body and soul are opposites
Aristotle - Wax
the soul cannot be separated form the body just as the imprint cant be separated from the wax - monism
Descartes
Believes the senses can deceive perhaps he’s being controlled by a demon
Cogito Ergo
i think therefore i am - separation of the mind (thinking) from the body (sense experience) that led him to substance dualism
Body and Mind are completely separate substances, the body is divisible but the mind is not
Amputate a body part but this would not take anything away from your mind
Pineal Gland
the mind and body interact, causally affecting each other, this point of interaction is the pineal gland, this is the seat of imagination and common sense
Criticism of Descartes - Ryle
Ghost in the Machine - the ghost is the ‘mind’ and the machine is the ‘body’… how could a ghostly immaterial substance affect and control the material body - like a ghost trying to ride a bicycle
Anscombe - Pointing
The meaning and significance behind pointing, cannot be deduced by bodily actions alone, it requires description of the thought - the physical gesture has a meaning beyond itself
Dawkins - digital information
Life is just bytes of digital information, contained in the DNA
Swinburne’s Criticism of Dawkins
conscience, morality and personal identity cannot be explained without reference to a soul
Ward’s Criticism of Dawkins
the soul which gives humanity is special dignity and sense of purpose
