Chapter I, Problem 1EIQ

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Monism is an idea that the universe consists of only one type of substance. Monism is supported by almost all neuroscientists and philosophers. This idea disagrees any difference between the physical brain and the concept of mind.

Answer to Problem 1EIQ

Correct answer:

Monism is an idea that the mind is made of the same substance as the rest of the universe. Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for correct answer:

Option C. is given as “The idea that the mind is made of the same substance as the rest of the universe.”

The idea of monism depicts that the thoughts or experiences of an individual are the same thing as the brain activity. It is not possible to differentiate whether the brain activity causes thoughts, or thoughts cause the brain activity. According to monism, neither causes the other; they are different ways of defining the same thing.

Reason for incorrect answer:

Option A. is given as “The idea that all forms of life evolved from a single ancestor.”

It is the theory of evolution which describes that all organisms on Earth are evolved from a single common ancestor. This indicates that the idea on all forms of life evolved from a single ancestor is not monism

Hence, option A. is incorrect.

Option B. is given as, “The idea that conscious and unconscious motivations combine to produce behavior.”

Freudian motivation theory suggests that conscious and unconscious psychological forces, such as thoughts, memories, perceptions, desires and emotions, shape an individual's behaviour. This indicates that the idea on conscious and unconscious motivations combine to produce behaviour is not monism. Hence, option B. is incorrect.

Option D. is given as, “The idea that the mind is one type of substance as matter is another.”

The idea that minds are one type of substance and matter is another is known as dualism. It is an idea that the soul or mind can exist independently from the body. This indicates that the idea on the mind is one type of substance as matter is another is not monism

Hence, option D. is incorrect.

Hence, the options A., B., and D. are incorrect.

Conclusion

Monism is an idea that the mind is made of the same substance as the rest of the universe. Thus, the correct answer is C.