Dualist Theories

• Substance dualism .Created by: René Descartes .Arguement: Minds exist as a separate substance to the body,the mind and body have different properties (Indivisibility). it is conceivable, therefore metaphysically possible that there can be a mind without a body (conceivability)
• Substance dualism criticisms + responses-

  . Issues: Princess Elizabeth conceptual interaction problem (how can a none physical thing interact with a physical world). The causal closure of the universe. Solipsism (Wittgensteins beetle box)

  . Responses: things such as drafts can cause colds, no response.
• Property dualism-

  . Created by: Chalmers . Arguement: The idea that there are some mental properties that aren’t reducible to physical properties (qualia). The argument of “philosophical zombies” and Mary knowledge

  .Criticisms = the zombie world is not conceivable, what is metaphysically possible tells us nothing about the world, Mary gains no new knowledge just sees old knowledge in a new way

  . Responses= this criticism assumes physicalism is true, n/a, she also acquires factual knowledge about others sense experience (she could only imagine before)
• Epiphenomenalism -

  . Created by: Huxley

  . Argument: qualia doesn’t effect our physical actions and our physical actions function similarly to reflex’s.

  . Issues= introspective self knowledge , phenomenology of mental life, Natural selection

  . Responses= Liberts Clock, stage combat there is no correlation, the polar bears coat weight is a bi-product of its warmth
• Issues facing Dualism . The problem of other minds (we can’t prove knowledge of other minds) . Responses = other minds is best hypothesis . Dualism makes a category mistake (the American cricket example) (Ryle) . Response = this pre supposed a physicalist view