Question 1: Dualism

Question 1

Cartesian Dualism

Answer 1

Cartesian Dualism = substance dualism + interactionism

Question 2

Substance Dualism:

Answer 2

Human beings have both a material body and an immaterial soul/mind

Question 3

Interactionism:

Answer 3

The mind and body of a human being enter into direct two-way causal interaction

Question 4

The Causal Argument

Answer 4

1) If Cartesian Dualism is correct, then immaterial minds affect the motion of material bodies
2) If immaterial minds affect the motions of material bodies, then they must exert a force
3) If immaterial minds exert a force, then they must have mass & occupy space
4) Immaterial minds don’t have mass or occupy space
5) So, Cartesian Dualism is incorrect

Question 5

Premise (1) of the causal argument: present and explain

Answer 5

1) If Cartesian Dualism is correct, then immaterial minds affect the motion of material bodies
explain: it is true by definition

Question 6

Premise (2) of the causal argument: present and explain

Answer 6

2) If immaterial minds affect the motions of material bodies, then they must exert a force
explain: Newton’s first law (objects at rest don’t move unless acted upon by a force)

Question 7

Premise (3) of the causal argument: present and explain

Answer 7

3) If immaterial minds exert a force, then they must have mass & occupy space
explain: Newton’s 2nd law, F = ma

Question 8

Premise (4) of the causal argument: present and explain

Answer 8

4) Immaterial minds don’t have mass or occupy space

explain: true by definition of immaterial

Question 9

Objection to the causal argument: the gravity objection

Answer 9

An example of immaterial things affecting material things is the forces of gravity upon matter.

Question 10

Response to the gravity objection

Answer 10

Gravity still requires two physical objects in order to interact: science accurately describes how gravity is a physical entity