scientific theory might be in compliance with some of the following philosophies, perhaps materialism, which is the most science-based of these views. Dualists believe that there is both a non- physical, and a material aspect to us. Dualism as a philosophy originated from Platonic teaching (Theory of Forms), and the first influential philosopher to apply this idea to the question of the conscious mind was René Descartes. His teachings, which are known as Cartesian Dualism, form part of a branch of Dualism called Substance Dualism. Descartes argued that our language and ability to reason mathematically could not be as a result of physical processes in the brain, and so there must be something non- physical influencing us. According to Descartes, this metaphysical consciousness possessed no spatial dimensions, and is not in any particular place. Another form of Substance Dualism is Âpopular dualismÊ. It uses an analogy of a Âghost in a machineÊ. It states that the consciousness is a non-physical construct in the brain, which does possess spatial dimensions. The other form of Dualism is called Property Dualism. It states that there are non-physical properties (hence the name) of the brain, which enables us to experience those things which one might hold the consciousness accountable for. One of the oldest branches of Property Dualism called epiphenomenalism stated that our volitions did not cause our actions. In direct contrast to Dualism and Materialism. Being the least at odds with the science of todayÊs society, a scientific theory about the mind would most likely be in agreement with the materialist point of view that a non-physical conscious does not exist, but rather everything is and is a result of the material world. The first materialist opinion is Reductive Materialism. It claims that any mind states, or other things that we would put down to the consciousness, are actually physical states. They are simply neurons
firing in the brain, nothing more methodological Materialism, also known as the bottom-up approach, holds that rather than observing oneÊs behaviour and then finding its source, we should examine the brain and understand it implicitly which will then inform us of behaviour that the life- form might have. Outside of these two main concepts are more minor ones such as Idealism, which claims that the material is an illusion, or a dream, created by the mind. New Mysterianism assumes what could be seen as a defeatist attitude, and states that we will never be able to resolve the riddle of the consciousness, because we cannot experience tings in the same way as others, and thus cannot come to a decisive conclusion with regards to what the consciousness actually is. The Cognitive Computational Approach to the consciousness reduced the brain to a calculator-like construct, any actions, any emotions; anything that we experience, feel or do is simply a specific sequence of neurons fusing, in the same way that a computer or a calculator works. There are flaws with these ideas and a scientific theory which seeks to establish the definition of the consciousness will have to take advantage of these. However, regardless of whether it can defeat every other viewpoint, it may still help in understanding the consciousness. Another theory, backed up by science, could open the way to a true understanding of the mind. I shall present the flaws of the arguments which a scientific theory will have to defeat below. The main threat to dualism is that of science. Cartesian Dualism is defeated because DescartesÊ definition of matter is outdated. He described matter as occupying spatial dimensions; however, electrons are today described as not doing so. And the main justification that dualists have, that we experience things which are too complex for the human brain, and thus that there must be a non-physical consciousness, may be
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