The Mind/Body Problem
First, let's get the layout of the land. In the Philosophy of Mind, there are many different competing theories. To better understand these theories and how they relate to one another, here is a chart to keep in mind, (see chart below).
1. There are 3 general theories at play: Idealism, Materialism and Dualism. A. Idealism = the theory that all that exists are minds and the contents of minds (ideas). B. Materialism = the theory that all that exists are material objects (matter). C. Dualism = the theory that both minds and material objects exist
2. The most common form of Idealism is that of Berkeley.
3. There are 4 different Materialistic theories we will be examining: Behaviorism, Identity Theory, Eliminative Materialism and property dualism.
4. There are 3 versions of dualism: Interactionism, Epiphenomenalism and Parallelism There are two types of Parallelism we will examine, Occasionalism and Pre- Established Harmony.
Descartes believed that the mind and body were completely different things, and he had two arguments to establish this point. The first is the "Conceivability Argument:"
1. An attribute is essential to something if and only if it's inconceivable that the thing exist without it. Consider the ball of wax Descartes speaks of in Meditation Il. What properties are essential to the wax? Can you conceive of the wax without those properties? 2. It is not inconceivable for me to exist and not have a body 3. Therefore, my body is not essential to me [to what "I" am]. 4. It is inconceivable for me to exist and not have a mind. fi. Therefore, my mind is essential to me [for me to exist].
Descartes' second argument to prove the separation of mind and body, "The Divisibility Argument: 1. If minds are identical to bodies, then whatever is true of minds is true of bodies, and vice versa. This assumes the "Principle of the Indiscernibility of Identicals." This principle states that if two things are identical, then they must possess the same properties. For example, if Samuel Clemens had white hair, then Mark Twain must have white hair because Samuel clemens is identical to Mark Twain. 2. But minds are indivisible and bodies are divisible 3. Therefore, minds are not identical to bodies.
Main problems with Cartesian Dualism: 1. Problem of Interaction. How can something without matter, taking up no space, affect matter? And vice versa? 2. Problem of Other Minds. If our mind has no physical properties, we cannot use physical instruments to detect them. Thus, there is absolutely no way to show that anyone other than yourself has a mind.
Epiphenomenalism
Epiphenomenalism = the theory that the mind is a by-product of the physical processes of the brain and cannot affect the activity of the brain.
Problems with Epiphenomenalism: 1. Our conscious thoughts have no effect on what we do, which is counterintuitive 2. We cannot explain why consciousness evolved on this theory, as it is a by product.
Parallelism
Parallelism = the theory