Abstract
This paper advances the concept that substance dualism is not the most accurate way of conceiving reality for a number of reasons. The main argument in support of this view is that substance dualism does not seem to present a completely coherent account of the two levels of reality that it postulates, that is, mind and matter, and that when analyzed it gives the impression of adding unnecessary complexity to what could be seen as simply two manifestations of one single process.

From the Paper
"This paper will try to advance the concept that substance dualism is not the best or most accurate way of conceiving reality for a number of reasons. The main argument in support of this view is that the idea of substance dualism does not seem to present a completely coherent account of the two levels of reality that it postulates, that is, mind and matter, and (secondarily) that when analyzed it gives the impression of adding unnecessary complexity to what could as well be seen as just two manifestations of one single process. The philosophical position of substance dualism is one particular type of..."

Tags:dualism, descartes, phenomenalism

Abstract
This paper compares views on nonreductive materialism and substance dualism and looks at problems the philosophical theory of nonreductive materialism encounters with relation to causation. It also examines concepts of neurophysiological processes in the brain.

From the Paper
"This essay will explain the philosophical theory known as nonreductive materialism. It will then identify the problems that this theory encounters with respect to causation and then given its ..."

Tags:dualism, nonreductive materialism

Abstract
This paper looks at the theories of dualism as espoused by philosophers such as Aristotle, Plato, Descartes, and Kant, and explains how the various branches of dualism differ. The paper begins with a description of substance dualism, explains how it differs from monisms, pluralisms, and a dialectic, and then explains metaphysical dualism and epistemological dualism.

From the Paper
"Dualism is a view that implies that there are two separate and distinct substances that make up a human being: mind and body. In religious terms, the mind is often equated with the soul - with Plato and Aristotle, for instance, where the Greek term nous is used to describe the part of the individual that survives death."

Tags:mental, physical, renee, descartes, mind, matter, cartesian, meditations, body, life, death

Abstract
The paper explains the concept of dualism, which holds that every human being is divided into two parts in which the mind and the body are considered as different from each other. The paper discusses how the body belongs to the physical element while the mind belongs to the intellectual element. The paper points out that any material substance is defined as physical; materialism includes all things that exist. The paper looks at Rene Descartes' theory of dualism and examines the arguments of Paul Churchland against dualism. The paper demonstrates how the arguments of Churchland regarding dualism are quite doubtful and very unclear.

Outline:
Concept of Dualism
Concept of Materialism
Rene Descartes' Theory of Dualism
Paul Churchland's Argument Against Dualism

From the Paper
"During the 17th century Rene Descartes was the famous dualists philosopher because of his belief that there are two substances that exists in the universe. His particular philosophy is referred to as substance dualism because he believed that the universe consisted of two different kinds of substances that he termed res extensa (extended things, physical things) and res cogitans (thinking things) (Cofer, 2002). He believed that every action of the body, the mind only responds on the body's actions. The set of thinking things does not exist in space and time as we know it, but are separate, irreducible and exist after the body is completely gone (Cofer, 2002)."

Tags:Descartes, physical, material, intellectual, thinking

Abstract
This paper aims to reveal the ideas of Descartes and Kant in their understanding of the metaphysics of existence and the way that human beings should treat one another. The paper discusses how Cartesian dualism offers an important way to link the human experience with the ideas that are formed within the human mind through epistemology and metaphysics. The paper explains that the substance of materialism is closely linked with the way that a higher power interacts with human beings in the universe.

Tags:kant, descartes, ethics

Abstract
This paper defines monotheism as the general religious belief in one God, which is prevalent with most religions including Christianity, Islam and Judaism. This paper also delves into the philosophy of dualism which states that the universe is comprised of two specific substances. This paper presented as a comparative analysis details and examines the differences between the two philosophies. This paper clearly shows that monotheism does in fact possess some of the characteristics of the dualist philosophy yet dualism does not have even one characteristic similar to that of monotheism. The writer contends and proves in this paper that dualism decidedly emerged from the basic principles of monotheism.

From the Paper
"The idea of an infinite and united God is consistent with the argument presented in the preceding paragraph. Time does not play a significant role in determining God's efficacy to its believers. Furthermore, mind and matter merge to create a united entity, a characteristic achieved only by God. And because God transcends all the worldly ideas and concepts that humanity has created, God is then considered simple, mainly because it is not spiritual or material, it simply exists as it is. This fact alone explains God's simplicity, though to explain its existence and knowability is actually a complex contemplation to engage in. Lastly, because God is infinite, united, and simple, he is thus divine: an entity that exists for different causes not known by humanity."

Tags:religion, god, universe, theology, belief, philosophy

Abstract
This paper looks at two major philosophical perspectives, dualist and monist, on the relationship between the body and the mind. The writer describes two types of dualism, substance dualism and property dualism. Dualists treat the body and mind as two distinct entities while monists argue that the nature of the mind is the same as that of the body. Arguments from both sides of the debate are critically reviewed, and the paper concludes that the monistic approach of equating mind with matter is too simplistic.

From the Paper
"Another argument which is brought in order to support the dualist view is represented by the different nature that the characteristics of the two entities posses. The events which are undergone at physical level are obviously objective. The mental events on the other hand are extremely subjective. It has been proven that the exact same stimuli are perceived differently by different individuals because we have different patterns of thinking, shaped by our background as well as by our beliefs, desires and immediate intentions and goals."

Tags:Plato, Descartes, Leibniz, evolution, identity, synonymy, entity, abstract, material

Abstract
This paper argues that Plato's theory on the dualism of the soul and body is applicable to all of the four major characters in Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being". Specifically, this paper examines how the connection between the two substances takes place in the case of each character, and to what extent they are marked by this interaction.

From the Paper
"The theory of the dualism of the soul and body was tackled by ancient philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. In the case of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, all of the four main characters exhibit this dichotomy. However, it is Tereza who best represents Plato's theory. In her case this dualistic approach is synonymous to a split between the two parts that make up her individuality. Kundera refers to his characters being "born of a stimulating phrase or two or from a basic situation. Tereza was born of the rumbling of a stomach." (Kundera: 39). As far this duality in the case of his characters, Kundera argues that "the old duality of body and soul has become shrouded in scientific terminology, and we can laugh at it as merely an obsolete prejudice." (Kundera: 40)"

Tags:Tereza, Tomas, Sabina, Franz

Abstract
Mental Causation is one of the central problems in the philosophy of mind concerned with the causal role of the mind in the physical world. Traditionally, the problem of mental causation has been that of understanding how a mental substance, thought to be immaterial, could interact with the body, a physical substance. Many philosophers today reject substantival, immaterial minds, but the problem of mental causation has not gone away. This paper explores the problem of Causal Exclusion as the main problem of mental causation that arises from the nonreductive materialist framework.

From the Paper
"Another preliminary remark is that there are, in fact, several different problems of mental causation instead of a single problem. One much discussed problem concerns Davidson's Anomalous monism (according to which, there are no strict causal laws about psychological phenomena such that no "mental to mental" or "mental to physical" laws can be formulated): If there are no strict laws connecting mental states to physical states, how can mental states be causally relevant? Another much discussed problem concerns specifically the externalist views of the mind according to which mental states cannot be identified only with reference to the states in the head. If mental states depend on factors outside the head, i.e. extrinsic properties, how can they affect behavior? In Kim's words: "How can extrinsic, relational properties be causally efficacious in behavior production?" (Chalmers, 173)"

Tags:dualism, physicalism, Descartes

Abstract
This essay will argue that Descartes's perception of the interaction between mind and body was such that he conceived that this interaction produced a separate, unified substance from either of its two components. Although it must be acknowledged that Descartes was often not clear on this point - hence many of the popular preconceptions on the issue of Cartesian dualism - nonetheless he can be seen to have advocated the view that a human being is a unified individual substance that is composed of two incomplete substances: the mind and the body.