Sarah- The Mind-body Problem

Question 1

Dualism …

Answer 1

Mind is distinct from the physical

A dualist = humans= physical and non physical don’t over lap

Question 2

Descartes said (about substance) …

Answer 2

“I am a substance of which the whole essence or nature consists in thinking”
(Cogito) has to be a thinking thing- can’t get rid of own thought processes
“Which I am what I am is entirely distinct from the body”

Question 3

What is Qualia?

Answer 3

Phenomenological contents of experience. They’re suppose to be private and subjective to the individual experiencing them

Question 4

What is substance?

Answer 4

Locke/ Hume and Leibniz all uses the term to refer to some sort of underlying substratum or support for the sensible (senses) qualities of an object. Secondary qualities are in substance, but if both taken away - still something there

Question 5

The older definition of substance …

Answer 5

A thing that can exist in is own right, independently of other substances

Question 6

Leibniz’s law …

Answer 6

If object A is identical to object B then all the properties of A will be the same as those of B and vise Versa … (you can only be truest identical with something if you’re it)

Question 7

The Real Distinction (Descartes)

…

Answer 7

Mind is a non-physical entity capable of existing in its own eighth independently of the body

Question 8

Descartes says if 2 things have no properties in common, then they are two different things … what properties to mind and body have according to Descartes….

Answer 8

Mind- irrefutable (impossible deny
           Indivisible (unable to split)
           Essential part 
           No secondary qualities 
           Incorporeal (not physical) 
           Eternal
Body- mistaken 
            Divisible (able to split)
            Non essential part 
            Secondary qualities 
            Corporeal (physical)
            Temporal (not eternal)

Question 9

Issues with Descartes’ Argument for Substance Dualism …

Answer 9

1. The Divisibility Argument- Body is not forever divisible (so indivisible) and mind is divisible
2. The conceivability Argument (a) mind without body is not conceivable (b) what is conceivable may not be possible (maybe possible but might not be the case) (c) what is possible may not be real

Question 10

The Conceivability Argument (Descartes)

Answer 10

1. I have a clear and distinct idea of myself as something that thinks and isn’t extended
2. I have a clear and distinct idea of body as something that is extended and doesn’t think
3. If I have a clear and distinct thought of something, God can make that the case
4. Therefore, God can create mind as something that thinks and isn’t extended and body as something that is extended and doesn’t think
5. Therefore mind and body exist independently of one another
6. Therefore mind and body are different substances

Question 11

The Shortened Conceivability Argument …

Answer 11

1. it is conceivable that mind can exist without body
2. Therefore, it is possible that mind can exist without body
3. Therefore, mind and body are distinct substances

Question 12

3 reasons why we should accept Substance Dualism …

Answer 12

1. Ontological Differences-
   The real distinction might be real
2. Epistemological Difference-
   What’s the character of our knowledge of the two substances?
3. We Simply don’t have a better alternative

Question 13

What is Substance Dualism?

What is Property Dualism?

Answer 13

Substance Dualism: mind can be independent

Property Dualism: mind cannot be independent

Question 14

What is Property Dualism about?

Answer 14

Mind and body aren’t different substances
Mind supervenes on the body (body without mind= possible / mind without body= impossible)
Difference in mind can only come from difference in body
Same substance but different properties

Question 15

What’s Necessary and Sufficient about Property Dualism?

Answer 15

Necessary- mind can only change if the brain changes
But…
Sufficient- that doesn’t mean that if the brain changes the mind has to