Dualism LO: Consider the concept of dualism Discuss the problem for Christians and Muslims

For those who believe in post mortem existence, the important issue is what exactly survives death and lives on. This depends on what is meant by a ‘person’ and the key to this is to understand the relationship between the mind and the body Get down the next key terms, create a drawing for each to represent their meaning.

Monistic view The view that the body and mind are linked together from one entity.

Dualistic view The body and mind are distinct and separate entities, though each can influence the other. Which did the Egyptians believe? What do Christians believe?

The physical body – this decomposes after death The mind – the thinking, feeling part of a human. Is the mind part of the body? E.g. Through the brain or separate? E.g. The soul The physical body – this decomposes after death

What do dualists think? A dualist believes that there are two main parts to the body. The physical outer shell (the material) which in time will decay and the mind/soul ( the non-material). Dualists argue that the soul/mind is in control of things like goodness/truth and justice and is immortal after death. Although the two are linked whilst the person is alive.

Hello. I’m Rene Descartes a French Philosopher. I believe in dualism Hello. I’m Rene Descartes a French Philosopher. I believe in dualism. You cannot doubt the existence of your mind because we all have individual thoughts. “I think therefore I am.” The human body can be seen, but the mind cannot. They are connected during life but after, the body dies and the soul moves on,

After death... We all know that after death our body decomposes, so in this sense if you believe in life after death dualism can make sense. However many Christians and Muslims don’t believe in dualism.

Many Christians and Muslims believe that the body will be resurrected, not just the soul. Bible Quote The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. What’s the issue here?

The body will have decomposed?

In both Christianity and Islam God/Allah made man from the soil of the ground. Surely an omnipotent god can manage this! When God made man in the Qur’an and the Bible he does so as a whole. There is not mention of a separate soul. Therefore the belief is that humans are a unity of mind, body and soul and that people will keep their identity when they die. Qur’an – “Man thinks that we shall not be able to restore his bones. Yes truly we are able to restore his very fingers.” Yahweh God formed man from the soil of the ground.

TASKS Explain what dualism is Explain the difference between the body and the mind/soul What did Rene Descartes mean by “I think therefore I am.” Why can the concept of dualism present a problem for Christians and Muslims? Why do some religious believers accept the idea of resurrection after death?

Read through the article about Gilbert Ryle What does Ryle believe? What is physical behaviourism – how is this linked? What does Ryle say about Cartesian philosophy?