Mind–body problem

The mind–body problem is a philosophical problem concerning the relationship between thought and consciousness in the human mind and body. It addresses the nature of consciousness, mental states, and their relation to the physical brain and nervous system. The problem centers on understanding how immaterial thoughts and feelings can interact with the material world, or whether they are ultimately physical phenomena.

This problem has been a central issue in philosophy of mind since the 17th century, particularly following René Descartes' formulation of dualism, which proposes that mind and body are fundamentally distinct substances. Other major philosophical positions include monism, which encompasses physicalism (everything is ultimately physical) and idealism (everything is ultimately mental). More recent approaches include functionalism, property dualism, and various non-reductive theories.

The mind-body problem raises fundamental questions about causation between mental and physical events, the nature of consciousness, personal identity, and free will. It remains significant in both philosophy and science, influencing fields such as cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, and artificial intelligence.

In general, the existence of these mind–body connections seems unproblematic. Issues arise, however, when attempting to interpret these relations from a metaphysical or scientific perspective. Such reflections raise a number of questions, including:

  • Are the mind and body two distinct entities, or a single entity?
  • If the mind and body are two distinct entities, do the two of them causally interact?
  • Is it possible for these two distinct entities to causally interact?
  • What is the nature of this interaction?
  • Can this interaction ever be an object of empirical study?
  • If the mind and body are a single entity, then are mental events explicable in terms of physical events, or vice versa?
  • Is the relation between mental and physical events something that arises de novo at a certain point in development?

These and other questions that discuss the relation between mind and body are questions that all fall under the banner of the 'mind–body problem'.

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