Mind-Body Problem: Part 2

Author
Affiliation

Christopher L. Holland

Saint Louis University

Lecture Date

March 20, 2025

Updated

March 20, 2025

1 Dualism

Human beings are composed of mind and matter

1.1 Physical/Material Entities

  • Can be reduced to the language of physics and chemistry
  • Are physical/material and have physical properties
    • Occupying space (and time)
    • Shape
    • Extension
    • Mass and density
    • Chemical, electrical, magnetic and gravitational properties
  • Are publicly observable

1.2 Mental Entities

  • Can NOT be reduced to the language of physics and chemistry.
  • Are non-physical/immaterial and so lack physical properties
    • They occupy time but not space.
    • They have no shape, extension, mass or density.
    • They have no chemical, electrical, magnetic or gravitational properties.
  • Are private — not publicly observable.

1.3 Two Major Types of Dualism

Substance Dualism
Human beings are made up of mind and body—two separate substances.
Property Dualism
Human beings are made up of a single substance: body. However, the body has both mental and physical properties.
Substance
an individual object/thing that has properties and can undergo change

2 Arguments for Dualism

Most arguments for dualism are based on Leibniz’s Law

2.1 Leibniz’s Law

  • According to Leibniz’s Law \(x\) and \(y\) are numerically identical if, and only if, any property held by \(x\) is held by \(y\) (and vice versa).
  • Symbolized: \(\forall x \forall y [(x=y) \to \forall P (Px \leftrightarrow Py)]\)
  • Also called the indiscernibility of identicals

2.2 Arguments for Dualism: Basic Form

Arguments for dualism using Leibniz’s Law (typically) have the following form.

1. 
\(m\) has property \(P\).
2. 
\(b\) does not have property \(P\).

According to Leibniz’s Law if \(m\) has property \(P\) but \(b\) does not, then \(b ≠ m\).

∴ 3. 
\(b ≠ m\) (from 1 and 2 by Leibniz Law)

2.2.1 Descartes’ Argument from Doubt

I know for certain both that I exist and at the same time that all such images, and, in general, everything relating to the nature of body, could be mere dreams .

   – Descartes, Second Meditation

1. 
I can doubt that I have a body.
2. 
I can not doubt that I have a mind.
∴ 3. 
My body is not my mind.
(from 1 and 2 by Leibniz’s Law)

Physicalist Response:

The argument commits the intentional fallacy: The mistake of treating different descriptions or names of the same object as equivalent even in those contexts in which the differences between them matter.

Counterexample:

1. 
Lois Lane believes that Superman can leap tall buildings in a single bound.
2. 
Lois Lane does not believe that Clark Kent can leap tall buildings in a single bound.
∴ 3. 
Superman is not Clark Kent.
(from 1 and 2 by Leibniz’s Law)

This goes back to our lesson on sense and reference. Leibniz’s Law does not apply here because the introspection argument appeals to propositional attitudes.

2.2.2 Argument from the Difference Between Mental and Physical Entities

[I have] a body that is very closely joined to me. But nevertheless, on the one hand I have a clear and distinct idea of myself, in so far as I am simply a thinking, non-extended thing; and on the other hand I have a distinct idea of body, in so far as this is simply an extended, non-thinking thing. And accordingly, it is certain that I am really distinct from my body, and can exist without it.

   – Descartes, Second Meditation

Version 1:

1. 
My body is extended in space.
2. 
My mind is not extended in space.
∴ 3. 
My body is not my mind.

Version 2:

1. 
My mind is a thinking thing.
2. 
My body is not a thinking thing.
∴ 3. 
My body is not my mind.

Physicalist Response: Reject Premise 2 in both arguments.

3 Dualism: How are the mind and body related?

Interactionism
Brain states can cause mental states and mental states can cause brain states.
Parallellism
Brain states cause brain states. Mental states cause mental states. Brain states and mental states are coordinated by pre-established harmony.
Epiphenomenalism
Brain states cause mental states, but mental states do not casue brain states.
Interactionism
Parallellism
Epiphenomenalism

Difficulties for Dualism Interactionism

  • Where do the interactions of the soul and body take place?
  • How do the interactions occur?
  • How can the idea of the mental causing the physical be reconciled with the principle of conservation of energy?

References

Chalmers, David J. 1996. The Conscious Mind: In Search of a Fundamental Theory. Kindle. Philosophy of Mind Series. New York: Oxford University Press.
Descartes, René. (1614) 2013. Meditations on First Philosophy: With Selections from the Objections and Replies: A Latin–English Edition. Edited and translated by John Cottingham. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Dowden, Bradley. n.d. “Fallacies.” In Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, §6, s.v. Intensional. Accessed November 3, 2021. https://iep.utm.edu/fallacy/.
Moreland, J. P., and William Lane Craig. 2017. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. 2nd Edition. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic.
Pojman, Louis P. 2006. Philosophy: The Pursuit of Wisdom. 5th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Pojman, Louis P., and Lewis Vaughn, eds. 2017. Philosophy: The Quest for Truth. 10th ed. New York: Oxford University Press.
Sober, Elliott. 2009. Core Questions in Philosophy: A Text with Readings. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.