What Is A Problem With Dualism: Exploring Its Philosophical Challenges

The concept of dualism in psychology has been a subject of intense and prolonged debate, drawing insights from various disciplines such as philosophy, biology, psychology, and other scientific fields. At the heart of this discourse lies a fundamental query: are the mind and the brain distinct, independent entities, or are they intricately interconnected and essentially one and the same? This ongoing discussion has captured the attention of scholars and experts from diverse backgrounds, as they seek to unravel the intricate relationship between mental processes and neural activity. As of August 3, 2023, this issue continues to be a focal point of exploration and investigation within the realm of psychology.

One significant challenge to Descartes’ theory of dualism was brought to light by Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia. She raised a crucial concern regarding Descartes’ assertion that the mind and body are distinct entities. The issue at the heart of this critique goes beyond the mere distinction between mind and body. It delves into the inherent difficulty arising from the way these two entities are distinct, which seemingly renders their interaction impossible due to an inherent contradiction. This critique was originally presented on August 8, 2019.

Daniel Dennett rejects the concept of dualism for several compelling reasons. Firstly, he argues that the dualist perspective on how the mind influences the body contradicts established principles derived from our understanding of the physical sciences. Secondly, Dennett contends that the very idea of dualistic psychophysical causation lacks internal consistency and coherence. Thirdly, he raises further objections to dualism, which will be elaborated upon in subsequent discussions. Dennett’s critique of dualism stems from his assessment of these three central aspects, ultimately challenging the viability of dualistic theories in explaining the mind-body relationship.