The Mind Body Problem A Philosophical Dilemma Essay

The mind-body problem is a philosophical dilemma that has perplexed philosophers, scientists, and students alike since the time of Renà © Descartes. Simply stated, the mind-body problem is: what is the relationship between the mind and body? However, the mind-body problem is not simple at all because from the simply stated question above, numerous other questions abound such as: does the mental impact the physical? How does the mental impact the physical? What are mental and physical properties? Currently, there is not one decisive, well accepted answer to the mind-body problem, but there are several philosophical views that have emerged due to it. First, the materialist view explains that â€Å"despite appearances to the contrary, mental states are just physical states†(Robinson). A materialist believes that only material substances exist, and so there is no interaction between the mind and the body because all reality is material. There isn’t any mental properties to a materialist. Furthermore, they also believe that since there isn’t any interaction between the mind and body, there isn’t any mind-body problem. Second, the idealist view explains that material substances are never perceived, but the properties and qualities of material substances are perceived through empiricism. So according to an idealist, only the perceptions of substances or mental properties exists in reality because we obtain knowledge through sense-experience (Lyngzeidetson). Finally, the dualist believesShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Kamala Das s Projection Of Self Essay1441 Words   |  6 PagesTension and Moral Dilemma occupies an important place, position and appears to be the kernel of Kamala Das’s poetry. Kamala Das’s projection of self is the projection of tension and dilemma in her life. Her projection is biological, psychological, philosophical, confessional, self-expressive, self-recordative, self-explorative and self-realised. 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