Compare And Contrast The Philosophical And Religious Implications Of Dualism
Zaid Dabus
Dr. Young
Acquisition of Knowledge
Philosophical versus Religious Implications of Dualism The quintessential notion of dualism implies that there are two basic foundations: mental and bodily foundations. This is called substance dualism and its central proponent was Rene Descartes. The 17th century philosopher and devout Catholic defended the position that the mental foundation can exist outside of the bodily foundation, and therefor the body cannot think. Descartes argued that the physical body and the mind are two independent entities that happen to coexist, as we know them. However, the mind is categorically capable of existing entirely unattached from the body. Substance dualism seems to hold the greatest compatibility with most theological beliefs of the immortal soul living in the mortal vessel that we call the body. It is no wonder the devout Catholic, Descartes, vehemently defended this philosophical position. …show more content…
The role of the “immortal soul” is to make judgments, decisions, and perceptions. When paralleled to the philosophical dualist “mind,” we find striking similarities. The role of the “mind” in the philosophical sense is the whole and indivisible substantiating entity of thought, doubts, and distinctions. This is where Descartes easily draws the distinction between the “mind” and the brain. The mind is a nonphysical substance or force that utilizes the brain as the locus of interaction between the “mind” and its bodily
Dr. Young
Acquisition of Knowledge
Philosophical versus Religious Implications of Dualism The quintessential notion of dualism implies that there are two basic foundations: mental and bodily foundations. This is called substance dualism and its central proponent was Rene Descartes. The 17th century philosopher and devout Catholic defended the position that the mental foundation can exist outside of the bodily foundation, and therefor the body cannot think. Descartes argued that the physical body and the mind are two independent entities that happen to coexist, as we know them. However, the mind is categorically capable of existing entirely unattached from the body. Substance dualism seems to hold the greatest compatibility with most theological beliefs of the immortal soul living in the mortal vessel that we call the body. It is no wonder the devout Catholic, Descartes, vehemently defended this philosophical position. …show more content…
The role of the “immortal soul” is to make judgments, decisions, and perceptions. When paralleled to the philosophical dualist “mind,” we find striking similarities. The role of the “mind” in the philosophical sense is the whole and indivisible substantiating entity of thought, doubts, and distinctions. This is where Descartes easily draws the distinction between the “mind” and the brain. The mind is a nonphysical substance or force that utilizes the brain as the locus of interaction between the “mind” and its bodily