The Mind Body Problem Our minds seem to be non-physical and different from our bodies. Our bodies seem to be something different from our minds. Are they actually different? What is a mind? What is a body? How do they relate?

Substance Dualism Our bodies and minds are separate things Substance – a “thing” which exists independently from other things (e.g. a horse, a cat, a human). It has properties, but is not a property of another thing Property – a quality that a substance has (e.g. red, round, cold)

Physicalism The mind is the brain itself and nothing more. In other words, mind = brain Two kinds: a) Identity theory, b) Functionalism

Argument for Substance Dualism Descartes' argument: P1: I can doubt that my body exists P2: I cannot doubt that my mind exists P3: Leibniz's Law* --------------------------------------------------------- C: So, my mind is not my body

Elizabeth's Objection to Substance Dualism How can a mind that is totally non-physical cause changes in a body which is totally physical? Likewise, How can a physical body cause changes in a non-physical mind?

Argument for Physicalism Neuroscience has shown a strong link between what happens to and in our brains and what happens to and in our minds Argument for Physicalism

Against Physicalism A complete physical description of our brains and bodies, even in every detail, still seems to leave out something. What is left out is our personal/subjective experience, the “what it's like for us.”

Dual Aspect Theory