The Case for Materialism

Overview

There are two major views of the world: Materialist, where we are only materiali beings and Dualism where we are part material and part spiritual or mental or whatever

We will go over the arguments for materialism

Positive Arguments[section]

The man-is-an-animal argument

Artificial intelligence argument

Brain Chemistry Argument

Negative Arguments[section]

The superfluity argument

The mystery objection

The problem of otherminds

A verdict on the materialist case

Man-is-an-animal argument

Argues that since we emerged from animals and physical matter without consciousness, it is argued that we are just like what we emerged from

But it can be counterargued with emergent properties. Oxygen and hydrogen isn’t wet alone but when placed together they make water

The artifical intelligence argument

We are making physical computers which are more complicated over time. Eventually a supercomputer can be behaviorally the same as the human mind. Since the computer doesn’t have a soul, and if we are the same as the computers in behaviors we have no soul.

This can be countered by either stating that the computer has a soul to invalidate or extend the coutnerargument to say that if the computer becomes a good host for a soul and is behaviorly the same as a human or vice versa humans have a soul

The brain chemistry argument

The argument is that since the brain is an electrochemical system it is a physical system but this is counterargued by separating the mind from the brain even if both are connected

Superfluity argument

Because the soul or a mind is not necessary for explaining human behavior, it is irrational to believe in it.

This is counterargued by the fact that just because something is unnecessary for scientific explanation doesn’t mean that it is so. Another counterargument is that there is the assumption that physical theory will exist that can explain everything without regards to the soul in terms of human bheavior (this theory does not exist yet)

The mystery objection

Becuse the concept of a soul cannot be understood, then it is illogical to accept something that cannot be understood. Therefore dualism can be rejected.

Coutnerargument: It can be understood that the soul or mind can use the body like a tool. Mystery does not equal falsehood

The problemof other minds

If all we can access people is through their bodies then we cannot know if people’s minds are distinct from our own.

Counter: This is a form of radical skepticism. I tis countered by belief conservation

A verdict on the materialism case

The author believes that dualism is more convincing.