Intro to Philosophy: Define: Dualism and Materialism

Dualism Materialism RationalismEmpiricism

Kelly PerezInstructor

the Mind-Body Problem

Dualism

Dualism is the belief that the mind and body work together; you can’t have one without the other.

Materialism

Materialism is the belief the mind and body are a collection of atoms setup in a complicated manner that adheres to the law of physics.

Materialist would say…

We know nothing of pure knowledge

Dependent on the quick interpretation of sense data,

True knowledge takes times and patience after long periods of time investigating the world around us;

In the end, all sensations are just atoms discharging against one another.

Dualism A Dualist believes that the mind and body work together

The theory states

The mind and the body are different kinds of things

The body is physical - the mind is nonphysical

Physical facts are facts about the body, while mental facts are facts about the mind

Personal Identity

Where is the mind located?

Is the mind tied to one being?

If the mind can be transplanted are possible?

Video Questions

Video - Dr. White; GRAPHIC

2:30-3:300: Isolated Brain – Consciousness, thoughts?

4:30-7:08: Successful Head Transplant of Monkey

9:44-10:44: If not us, than who? Humans next?

Rationalism / Empiricism

Reason (Rationalism)

Truths are nothing more than ideas that have nothing to do with the five senses.

We use our logical reasoning skills to determine facts

Senses?

Experience (Empiricism)

Truths are nothing more than ideas that have everything to do with the five senses.

We use our intuition and “gut” to determine facts

Clarify

No Such Thing as Blind Faith

In our lives we accept knowledge to be true because we give it authority to be true

“How we do know” is the focus of this lecture

Reason?

So What’s What?

Where does human knowledge ultimately come from?

Radical Empiricism—all knowledge comes from the senses

Radical Rationalism—all knowledge comes from logic and innate ideas

Quotes

Do we need intervention?

How shall we decide what is right?

o Logic

o Evidence

o How do we weigh our own pre-dispositions?

o How far do we extend trust?

o In looking at views alien to our own how far do we lift our distrust?

Rationalist Philosophers Rationalists share the view that there is innate

knowledge

Plato was a Rationalist because he believed the Forms was present at birth; dormant until used.

Descartes thinks the idea of God and knowledge of his own existence is present before birth

Chomsky believed the ability to understand language was present in womb

Empiricist Philosophers

There is no such thing as innate knowledge; you learn all as you experience it

Locke - claimed that sense experience is the ultimate starting point for all our knowledge.

Berkeley

Hume

IF and Maybe

Dualism Materialism RationalismEmpiricism

Kelly PerezInstructor