Philosophy of the Mind - 2347 Words

The Philosophy of Mind Introduction The philosophy of body and mind has been a highly debated topic since its launch in the 17th centaury by Rene Descartes. Since then, many philosophers have written on the subject matter and many theories have emerged as a product of this lively debate. In this essay, I will analyze and critique a selection of philosophers who ponder on the body-mind topic since the 17th century, and ultimately evaluate Paul M. Chruchland’s claim that folk psychology should be eliminated and replaced by completed neuroscience. For the purpose of this essay it is important to set the defying parameters of folk psychology, as there are 3 working definitions of folk psychology†¦show more content†¦For instance, a dry sensation in the throat would indicate thirst and a grumbling sensation in the stomach hunger etc. Lastly, the following quote makes an interesting connection to a recent discovery: â€Å"I am now awake, and see some truth; but since my vision is not yet clear enough, I will deliberately fall asleep so that my dreams may provide a true and clearer representation.† (Cottingham, 223). Here Descartes’ view of the mind over the body is evident but a connection could also be made to an interesting scientific discovery, Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT is a hormone in the brain, only secreted during birth, dreams, and death. Besides its presence in the brain, DMT is also found in plants. Doctor Rick Strassman researched DMT extensively throughout the late 1900’s and even applied it to test subjects to observe results. He found that the secretion of DMT causes a state where one’s connection to reality as we know it, the physical laws of nature, are abandoned completely, a state of being where one is confronted by the unconscious mind. â€Å"DMT allows contact with dark matter or parallel universes, Strassman argues that DMT must have provided an adaptive advantage to our ancestors in allowing access to alternate states of consciousness and thus perhaps greater problem-solving abilities and greater creativity.†(Flores 2002). Being qua being perhaps, asShow MoreRelatedThe Philosophy Of Mind And The Body1646 Words   |  7 PagesPhilosophy of mind had come across when philosophers had an idea of the concepts regarding the human mind and its mysteries. This branch of psychology had intended to elaborate and study the nature and aspects of the human mind, also how these concepts such as mental events, mental functions and consciousness would connect to each other, through the human brain and body. Philosophy of mind became one of the central areas of philosophy as the skills and abilities of metalizing are used to treat individualsRead MoreThe Science Of Mind Philosophy801 Words   |  4 Pages The Science of Mind philosophy is not an abstract spiritual theory, but rather, a study of Consciousness, and, specifically, our expression of It. Ernest Holmes considered this study of Mind to be a science, in that it correlates principles and practices that can be applied and proven to be effective. Even so, the correlation of principles and practices is not what makes the Science of Mind a practical philosophy to live by. Anyone can deduce principles and devise practices that enhance andRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Mind By Paul Churchland1327 Words   |  6 PagesPhilosophy of Mind In contemporary philosophy of mind, talk of perception has fallen out of favour. Indeed most writers to deny perception altogether, or claim that they do not matter. Instead they reduce perception to reality, or speak of the â€Å"really real.† Perception are said to be â€Å"nothing but† particles or waves or structured brain events. â€Å"Always already† â€Å"Nothing but† matter and motion. One influential philosopher of mind, Paul Churchland in his book The Engine of Reason, The Seat of the SoulRead MoreA Study on Leibnizs Philosophy of Mind696 Words   |  3 PagesAccording to Liebniz, perception and consciousness cannot possibly be explained mechanically, and, hence, could not be physical processes, (Kulstad, 2007). 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I willRead More Transcendentalism: The Philosophy Of The Mind Essay example1046 Words   |  5 PagesTranscendentalism: The Philosophy of the Mind nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Transcendentalism is the view that the basic truth of the universe lies beyond the knowledge obtained from the senses, a knowledge that transcendentalists regard as the mere appearance of things (Adventures 162). Transcendentalists believe the mind is where ideas are formed. The transcendentalist ideas of God, man, and the universe were not all original, but were a combination of other philosophies and religions. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;OneRead MoreAristotle s Philosophy Of The Mind And Soul1176 Words   |  5 PagesDustin Nelson Professor Kolb Ancient Philosophy 18 Nov 2014 To understand Aristotle’s philosophy of the mind and soul, one must begin with his concepts of change, epistemology, and nature. The scope of this paper is to explain the basic tenants of Aristotle’s philosophy with the hope of shedding some light on his metaphysics and De anima; more specifically, the nature of the human mind and soul in relation to knowledge. Aristotle begins his theory of knowledge with a critique on Plato’s formsRead MoreRene Descartes s Philosophy On The Mind3358 Words   |  14 Pages Introduction to Philosophy October 23, 2014 Renà © Descartes Descartes is one of the most influential and well-known philosophers of all time. The idea he is most famous for is his explanation on the mind. Renà © Descartes is often credited with being the â€Å"Father of Modern Philosophy.† This title is justified due both to his break with the traditional Scholastic-Aristotelian philosophy prevalent at his time and to his development and promotion of the new, mechanistic sciences. He wasRead MoreEssay about Mind/Body Problem in Philosophy767 Words   |  4 PagesRunning head: MIND/BODY PROBLEM IN PHILOSOPHY Mind/Body Problem in Philosophy Barbara Buchanan University of Phoenix Mind/Body Problem in Philosophy The History of Psychology plays a big role in the interest of Psychology and Philosophy today. Several theories have been developed and refined over the hundreds of years of history in Philosophy and Psychology. Included in this report will be the discussion of the realm of the mind and consciousness, the mind and consciousness in relationRead MoreDescartes Views on the Topic of Philosophy of Mind Essay755 Words   |  4 PagesDescartes Views on the Topic of Philosophy of Mind Descartes has indeeed made some notable contributions towards the philosophy of mind. It is the aim of this essay to discuss these contributions. Descartes is well known for being an avid dualist. This is the view that the mind and body are understood to be seperate and distinct from each other, but in some way causally connected. Descartes was no exception and believed the mind and body to be two completely different