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Dualism Essay

431 Words2 Pages

Another criticism asserted that the theory of dualism would violate the conservation law of energy in Physics (Collins, 2008) and the objection is presented in this way:
(1) Mental causation obviously occurs.
(2) If the mind is nonphysical, energy would flow from the nonphysical realm to the physical realm in the mental causation, leading to an increase in the total energy of the physical realm.
(3) Yet the total quantity of energy is constant in a closed physical system, according to the well-confirmed law.
∴ (4) The mind is impossible to be nonphysical.

However, such condemnation could be replied with the possibility of the offsetting effect done by consciousness. Madden (2013) suggests that it is probable for energy transfer to include …show more content…

The legitimacy of the two supporting theories behind, respectively materialism and dualism is analysed. Since the principle of causal closure is unable to interpret the cases regarding free will and self-awareness, the premise proposed by the materialists is refuted. Hence, materialism fails to be convincing. This essay then provides the reasons why the theory of dualism is true by dissecting Nagel’s argument from qualia (Nagel, 1974) and Jackson’s knowledge argument (Jackson, 1986). Lastly, possible criticisms against dualism is illustrated and responded. While critics deny dualism by claiming both arguments have committed the “masked man fallacy”, such objection is seriously flawed as there is no such case. Instead, it further justifies that qualitative experiences are irreducible to physical properties. Another criticism which suggests the theory would violate the conservation law is also rebutted by the possibility of the offsetting effect done by consciousness. As a result, the conclusion that “the human mind is nonphysical” could thus be reached. Based on the conclusion drawn in this essay, further studies are worthwhile to be focused on the discovery of consequences of a mind being nonphysical and its difference from the case that if the mind is physical, as well as establishment of new theories specifying the nature of the nonphysical mind in its application in the field of cognitive

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