Theories of the Soul

• What is dualism in philosophy?

  Mind and body are distinct substances
• How does dualism contrast with materialism?

  Materialism views mind as a product of brain
• What does idealism propose about reality?

  Reality is considered mental rather than physical
• What are the key concepts associated with dualism, materialism, and idealism?

  • Dualism: Mind, body, separation
  • Materialism: Brain, physicality
  • Idealism: Mentality, reality
• In dualism, what is the nature of the mind?

  The mind is a non-physical entity
• What is the nature of the body in dualism?

  The body is a physical entity subject to laws
• What does Plato believe about the physical world?

  It is a poor reflection of the real world
• How does Plato differentiate between the physical and real worlds?

  Physical world is tangible; real world is abstract
• What are the qualities of the physical and real worlds according to Plato?

  • Physical World: Tangible, changing, imperfect
  • Real World: Abstract, unchanging, perfect
• What is Plato's argument from recollection?

  We recollect perfect forms through reason
• What does Plato argue about ideas of perfect forms?

  They must have been apprehended previously
• How does Hume counter Plato's argument from recollection?

  Perfection is subjective and varies by person
• What does Hume suggest about perfect concepts?

  They can be created by the mind
• What are Hume's key points against Plato's view?

  • Perfection is subjective
  • Perfect concepts created by the mind
  • No need for a separate soul or realm of forms
• What does evolution suggest about innate knowledge?

  It accounts for cognitive structures without spirituality
• What is Aristotle's view on forms?

  Forms are inseparable from objects
• What is hylomorphism?

  Substance is composed of matter and form
• What is the role of the soul in Aristotle's view?

  • The soul is the formal cause of living things
  • It defines essential characteristics of organisms
• How does Aristotle illustrate the soul's relationship to the body?

  The soul is like an imprint on wax
• What are the characteristics of different soul types according to Aristotle?

  • Plants: Vegetative, nutrition
  • Animals: Vegetative + Locomotive, nutrition, movement
  • Humans: Vegetative + Locomotive + Rational, nutrition, movement, rational thought
• What is Francis Bacon's stance on formal causation?

  He rejected formal causation as scientifically valid
• What are the types of causation Bacon considers valid?

  • Material causation
  • Efficient causation
• What is JJ Smart's view on mental states?

  Mental states are identical to brain states
• What does Ockham's Razor suggest in Smart's argument?

  • Favor the simplest explanation
  • Mental states are complex brain processes
• How does modern science critique Aristotle's view?

  Evidence supports reduction of mental states to brain states
• What is substance dualism according to Descartes?

  Mind and body are two separate substances
• What are the key properties of the mind and body in Descartes' view?

  Mind is thinking; body is physical extension
• What are clear and distinct ideas according to Descartes?

  Ideas that are evident and unconfused
• What qualities define clear and distinct ideas?

  • Clarity: Easily understood
  • Distinction: Separate from other concepts
• What does "cogito ergo sum" mean?

  "I think, therefore I am"
• What is Descartes' indivisibility argument?

  The mind is indivisible; the body is divisible
• What are the key premises of Descartes' indivisibility argument?

  1. Physical substances are divisible
  2. The mind is indivisible
  3. Identical things share all properties
• What is a criticism of Descartes' indivisibility argument?

  Split-brain patients show divided thought processes
• What do split-brain patients reveal about the mind?

  • Independent thought processes in each hemisphere
  • Challenges the idea of a unified mind
• What is Descartes' conceivability argument?

  Mind and body can be conceived separately
• What are the key premises of Descartes' conceivability argument?

  1. Clear idea of thinking, non-extended beings
  2. Clear idea of non-thinking, extended beings
  3. Conceivably separate implies possibly separate
  4. Non-identical if possibly separate
• What is Descartes' conceivability argument aimed at demonstrating?

  Mind and body are non-identical
• What is the first premise of Descartes' conceivability argument?

  We have a clear idea of ourselves as thinking beings
• What is the second premise of Descartes' conceivability argument?

  We have a clear idea of our bodies as non-thinking beings
• What does Descartes argue about what is conceivably separate?

  It is possibly separate