3.4.2 Dualist Theories - 3 markers

Question 1

Dualism

Answer 1

The idea that mental states exist, and deny that mental states are reducible to or (logically) supervenient on the physical.

Question 2

Substance dualism

Answer 2

The theory of mind that claims that minds exist and are not identical to bodies or to parts of bodies.

Question 3

Property dualism

Answer 3

The theory of mind that claims that there are at least some mental properties that are neither reducible to nor supervenient upon physical properties.

Question 4

Interactionism

Answer 4

A theory of causation that claims that the mind and brain causally interact. Interactionists argue that causation is two-way i.e. things that happen in the mind cause things to happen in the brain, and things that happen in the brain cause things to happen in the mind.

Question 5

Epiphenomenalism

Answer 5

A theory of causation that claims that (a) mental states exist (b) they are caused by physical things and (c) they are causally inert.

Question 6

Physical possibility

Answer 6

Something is physically possible if it exists in a possible universe with the same laws as ours. e.g. a leopard walking into the room (although very unlikely) is physically possible.

Question 7

Metaphysical possibility

Answer 7

Something is metaphysically possible if it exists in the a possible universe (even if it is impossible with ours) e.g. Being a superhero is metaphysically possible.

Question 8

Logical possibility

Answer 8

Something is logically possible if it doesn’t contradict any logical laws. The only things that are logically impossible are absurd sentences like, “1+1=3” or “This laptop is not this laptop”.

Question 9

Physical susbtance

Answer 9

(according to substance dualists)

Question 10

Mental substance

Answer 10

(according to substance dualists)

Question 11

Physical

Answer 11

Anything that is subject to the laws of physics, or which is ontologically reducible to things which are subject to the laws of physics.

Question 12

Philosophical zombie

Answer 12

A hypothetical being that is physically (including behaviourally, neurologically, and functionally) identical to a human, which has no phenomenal properties