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IB Philosophy Essay: The Mind-Body Problem (23/25)
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THE MIND-BODY PROBLEMStimulus
An image of brain infographics depicts the left hemisphere of the brain to control a unique set of
characteristics in comparison to the right hemisphere.
It can be observed that the left hemisphere is said to be responsible for “reason”, “logic”,
“objectivity” “language” and “analytics” amongst other things.
Some would argue that it is the mind that is capable of these attributes of reason and
consciousness, being the seat of awareness, thought, memory, feeling and cognition, whilst the
brain is a neuronic organ, sending electrical signals to regulate the body, a mere framework of man
and animals.
Debate
These perspectives refer to the mind-body problem, the intellectual debate concerning the nature of
the mind, body, and relationship between the two.
Questions
Are the mind and body separate things?
Is one spiritual and the other physical?
Should we see the mind and body simply as aspects of one physical self?
Is the mind distinct from the brain?
Philosophies
Philosophical beliefs that relate to these positions of human nature are dualism and materialism.
The philosophy of Dualism holds that there is a conscious mind or soul, existing separately from the
brain, part of an unconscious body.
On the other hand, the philosophy of Materialism suggests that the mind arises from activity in the
brain and humans only consist of physical matter.
Philosophers
Two perspectives that embody these arguments include Descartes’ proposition of cartesian or
substance dualism, which advocates that the mind and body are two separate substances, and
Smart’s identity theory, in which it is claimed that the states of consciousness are identical with the
states of the brain, which is nothing more than a material organ working.
Qualia and Interaction
One key challenge the mind-body problem addresses is the existence of qualia, which are the
subjective, qualitative aspects of conscious experience.
Qualia refer to the "what it's like" aspect of mental states, such as the redness of a ripe apple or the
pain of a headache.
These subjective experiences are notoriously difficult to account for within a purely physical or
materialistic framework.
Nevertheless, proponents of various theories attempt to bridge the gap between the mental and the
physical, acknowledging that the mind and body not only coexist but also interact in intricate ways.
The nature of this interaction is a central point of contention in the mind-body problem, with some
theories positing that mental states emerge from physical processes (such as the brain) while
others maintain that consciousness has a fundamental role in shaping physical behaviour and
states.
In essence, the mind-body problem is about unravelling the mystery of how qualia and physical
processes interplay in shaping our conscious experience and behaviour.
Societal Implications
In terms of societal implications, the mind-body problem impacts many beliefs, including those of
self-identity and religion.
For example, a dualist may not value the material life as much as a physicalist, due to their possible
position that this world is merely preparing us for the next life, in which our soul lives on.
Evaluations
This essay will critically evaluate both perspectives, finding that whilst Descartes’ proposition of
substance dualism is thorough and raises some convincing points, it contains faults and is defective
as a description of being human.
On the contrary, the materialist identity theory is a more plausible interpretation of our identity.
Hence, the conclusion can be made, in association with the brain infographic, that the human brain
is not distinct from the mind, being responsible for aspects such as reason and consciousness.
, Descartes
About Descartes and General Theory
René Descartes (1596 -1650) was a French Philosopher and dualist who held the idea that the mind
and body were two completely different types of substances with different essential attributes,
giving rise to his view of substance or cartesian dualism.
The central claim of substance dualism is that the immaterial mind and material body while being
distinct substances, causally interact.
Res Extensa and Res Cogitan
Descartes classifies a physical substance as ‘res extensa’ (extended thing) which has been
extended in space, has dimensions such as length, and has physical attributes such as size and
mass.
Alternatively, a mental substance, being a ‘res cogitan’ (thinking thing) has the essential attribute
of thinking, is not extended in space, is non-physical, and has mental attributes such as intentions,
feelings, and knowledge.
This is where Descartes would classify the mind as a ‘res cogitan’ and the brain/body as a ‘res
extensa’ holding contrary beliefs to the brain infographic, in which different substances are not
displayed.
Substances and Properties
It is important to distinguish substances and properties, with substances being entities that possess
properties, whilst properties can’t exist without substances.
Scepticism
Continuing with his theory of substance dualism, the notion of scepticism, the idea that knowledge
claims cannot be justified, led Descartes to the concept of cartesian doubt.
He stated, “I’ve accepted many falsehoods in my youth to be true”. This doubt brought him to the
three sceptical tools, which he uses to demonstrate how things are known through intellect, not
senses, and the mind is better known than the body.
1. Firstly, the sense tool states that one must not trust their own senses. For example, when wax is
placed by a fire, it melts and hence changes shape, colour, taste size, smell and solidity. All
properties have changed, with the senses being unable to determine that the same piece of wax
remains.
2. Secondly, the dream tool suggests that dreams can also deceive, and hence should be doubted.
For example, Descartes stated that he often believed he had been sitting by the fire in his
dressing gown but had actually been lying in his bed.
3. Lastly, the evil demon tool indicates that there is a demon who is supremely powerful, cunning
and works hard to deceive humanity. In other words, the external world may be a complete
delusion, in which case we would not be able to trust fundamental beliefs such as mathematics.
The Cogito
Further meditation led Descartes to the ‘cogito’, in which he suggested that if he was being
deceived about the world, he could not be deceived by thinking he was deceived.
Thus, he concluded, “I think, therefore I am”. It is a contradiction that the thinker does not exist at
the time that he thinks and is a necessary truth that cannot be doubted.
Intermingling Thesis
Descartes also proposed the ‘intermingling thesis’, in which he stated that appetites, sensations
and emotions have their origin in the body, as if the mind and body were not intermingled, he would
not feel pain if the body was hurt.
However, he also stated that we can exist as the things we are without the body.
Pineal Gland
This relationship was further developed by Descartes in his conjecture that the pineal gland is the
source of interaction between the mind and body.
This interaction holds that the mind and body are different substances, are separated at death, can
communicate and are united in a way in which the mind feels itself through the body.
Conceivability and Divisibility
Substance dualism has two arguments that support the mind and body to be separate substances.
First, the conceivability argument suggests that it is conceivable that the mind can exist without the
body, therefore it is possible that the mind can exist without the body, and therefore the mind and
body are distinct substances.
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