The Mind Body Problem Interactionism And Physicalism

One of the most talked about concepts of philosophy is that of the mind-body problem. In short, the mind-body problem is the relationship between the mind and the body. Specifically, it’s the connection between our mental realm of thoughts, including beliefs, ideas, sensations, emotions, and our physical realm, the actual matter of which we are made up of the atoms, neurons. The problem comes when we put the emphasis on mind and body. Are the mind and body one physical thing, or two separate entities. Two arguments have stood amongst the rest, Interactionism and physicalism. Interactionism claims that mind and matter are two separate categories with a casual integration between the two. By contrast, physicalism draws from the idea that all aspects of the human body are under one physical being, there are no nonphysical connections that come into play. While both state a clear and arguable statement regarding mind-body problem, Interactionism gives a more plausible answer to th e mind-body problem because although it may seem like we are tied as one, our minds have a subconscious that influence our thoughts, actions, ideas, and beliefs, which is completely independent from the realm of our physical matter. To begin we must understand where both of these ideas stem from. Interactionism and physicalism come from the idea of metaphysical dualism. In short this is the belief that â€Å"one part of reality is physical and another part is nonphysical† (Lawhead 208). When you look up atShow MoreRelatedThe Mind Body Problem : Rene Descartes Essay972 Words   |  4 PagesThe mind-body problem, which still is debating on what it can be, still goes on today about the difference or similarities between the mind and the body. 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