What Is Mind
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Apr 3, 2024
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What Is Mind?
Michael Carrera
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Grand Canyon University
Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics
Gary Osmundsen
March 10
th
, 2024
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Introduction The author Bessel Van der Kolk of “The Body Keeps The Scores” defines the mind-body
connection as our emotions, mental states, and or thoughts manifesting into our physical body, thus leaving an imprint on it (Van der Kolk, 2014). Many people dispute and debate that the connection between the mind and body is absurd, while others tend to believe that the connection
between the two is a real, significant aspect of our lives. In this assessment, there will be an overview of the problem in the mind-body connection while recognizing four solutions for it and
concluding with the most efficient one. Mind-Body Problem
There seem to be two primary problems with the mind-body connection. According to Rowlands (2009), the first problem with this connection is what is called the item nature of the mind-body connection and refers to the nature of mental items whether they are physical or not. This can appear as different mental states of an individual and observing if they can manifest in their physical body, whether it be symptoms or illness (Stewart et al, 2013). The second problem with the mind-body connection is its essence. This is regarding and defining the essences of mental phenomena, such as consciousness and intentionality, and whether are they able to be explained in physical terms or not (Rowlands, 2009). Four Philosophical Solutions to the Mind-Body Problem These four philosophical solutions each hold their argument to respond in defining the essences of consciousness and intentionality. Each of these solutions has its unique perspectives and these are identity theory, functionalist physicalism, property dualism, and substance dualism (Stewart et al, 2013). The four philosophical solutions are the primary
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concepts when observing the problem with the mind-body connection and seem to be the most efficient response(s) to any others. Identity Theory The identity theory solution is a combination of views on the relationship between the mind and body. These include some types of mental states are purely identical to some types of brain states according to Rowlands (2009). For instance, the yearning to eat a piece of food, a feeling of bliss, and the anticipation of a situation occurring are all states of an individual’s brain (Stewart, 2013). Functionalist Physicalism The functionalist physicalism solution is defined as a set of beliefs that value the external constitution, the roles it plays, and the way it functions, rather than its internal components (Rowlands, 2009). This solution is most commonly exemplified by the mental state of pain an individual feels is connected to the C-Fiber activity also occurring in their brain (Stewart et al, 2013). Property Dualism
The property dualism solution states that there are two distinct kinds of property in our world, which are the physical properties a thing or object can have and the mental properties as
well (Rowlands, 2009). The physical properties can appear as weight, mass, or volume, while the mental properties can be the set of beliefs, pain, and or emotions the object or thing can have (Stewart et al, 2013). Substance Dualism
Lastly, the substance dualism solution is the belief that different substances compose the mind and body (Rowlands, 2009). Furthermore, it states that the mind is a thinking thing lacking the usual qualities of physical objects, such as motion, size, shape, location, and the
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law of physics, along with many other qualities (Rowlands, 2009). The substance dualist believes that the mind is part of our soul, however the soul resides outside of the body completely. Most Efficient Solution to Mind-Body Connection Out of the four solutions for the mind-body connection, the property dualism solution is seemingly the most effective. It appears most reasonable that a material object or thing, such as a
brain, can have its main foundation, which is itself being the material. In addition to its foundation being material, two kinds of properties stemming from it. These properties include its
mental and physical properties (Rowland, 2009). Although these two properties are completely different from one another, they still combine to create the material object or thing, which in this instance is the brain. These two thus create a harmony with one another. In reviewing the three other solutions, the property dualism solution makes the most logical sense. This is because the substance dualist states that the soul is completely outside of the body and the mind is connected to it. Even though this can make sense, it does not quite capture an accurate state of the connection between the mind and the body. If there is to be proof of this connection between the two, and the mind is outside of the body, then that does not seem to be a connection. The functionalist physicalism solution leans toward the side that our physical state determines our mental state, but not vice versa (Rowlands, 2009). If this statement is true, then it seems to be a false representation or underestimation of the mental state and its capability to affect the physical state. Lastly, the identity theory touches on the mental state and its ability to affect the physical state, however, it claims that this is not an absolute truth all the time. To prove a stronger solution with identity theory, it would seem most beneficial to have a consistent reading of how the mental and physical states affect one another with clarity.
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Conclusion Overall, the mind-body connection was defined as an individual’s mental state, emotions,
and or thoughts manifesting through the physical and leaving an imprint on the body according to Van der Kolk (2014). Discussing the two primary problems of the mind-body connection involved its nature of item and essence, in which the item questions if the mental can be physical
or not, while the essence questions if it can be explained in physical terms or not. The four philosophical solutions (Identity theory, Functionalist physicalism, Property dualism, and Substance dualism) of the mind-body connection were then explained to display different perspectives on this issue. Lastly, an explanation of property dualism was given referring to it as the best solution out of the four.
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References Rowlands, M. (2009). Mind-Body Problem
. Stewart, D., Blocker, H. G., & Petrik, J. (2013).
Fundamentals of Philosophy
(8th ed.). Pearson. ISBN-13: 9780205242993
Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps The Score
. Penguin Publishing Group. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Body_Keeps_the_Score/vHnZCwAAQBAJ?
hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover
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