2. Dualism and Materialism

Dualism

proposes that there are two types of reality. Mind and body

the mind is non-physical reality, responsible for our thoughts, awareness, emotions

the body is physical/material and works according to laws of physics

Materialism (physicalism)

The idea that everything is ultimately physical. Including the mind because its explained by something physical

rejects teleology (idea that different areas of world has its own pupose)

Takeaway of Plato’s Cave Allegory

Plato believes we shouldn’t solely rely on our senses as they distort our reality (illusion)

and that although the journey to building knowledge is a struggle it will help us uncover reality

Plato’s Forms

These are are separate from mind and body they give structure to the world/objects

while much of “true reality” is hidden we can perceive some archetypes which stay perfect / the same

like shapes

The Form of the good

Plato believed there was one superior form and it is the basis for all the other forms

believed by Medieval philosophers

Essentialism

The idea that all objects have a property or properties which make them what they are

Aristotle and Plato both agreed on this

Non-essential properties

when one objects properties are shared with another but its not an original property

ex. fire heating up a rock

Platonsim (main evidence)

Mathematics. The world can be explained by math as its seemingly built upon math principles

Medieval Philosophy (Neoplatonism)

believed Plato’s ideas of forms and a form of good were related to God.

Believed the forms were god creation and the form of god was god himself

inspired a bunch of religions

Modern Philosophy

these types of philosophers believed in dualism and theism early on

rejected medieval philosophy, inspired by modern science (Galileo)

but allowing spiritual ideas (sprit passing after death)

and later on believed in materialism

Plato’s theory of innate knowledge

Plato believed what we knew had been because our soul looked upon the forms before we were born

Teleology

the idea that areas of biological world have their own purpose like how different body parts have their own function

-believed by Plato and Aristotle

Atomism (type of materalism)

everything’s made out of atoms (objects and beings) this counters Plato’s beliefs. the atoms form larger objects.

• saw ideas of the mind as atoms in motion

• can be described by math since they’re physical, these particles are building blocks

Argument against Atomism

• problem is that it struggles to explain origin of life and concepts (non-physical)

• if atoms follow set laws, wouldn’t a person (made of atoms) have to follow a fixed path

Mechanical Philosophy

Proposes something similar to atomism saying everything is an inanimate physical system made of particles (following physical laws)

failed to account for human mind

Physicalism

modern version of materialism believes are things exist in the physical world including the mind

evidence: Dna

struggles to explain concepts like freewill

Anti-realism

that there is no objective truth, knowledge, that reality is actually just based around the cultures, perspectives we have developed

Anti-realist philosophy rejects:

– The appearance/reality distinction (objective truth)

– The view that reality itself conforms to logical laws

– The view of reason as an innate guide to reality

– Essentialism (especially the view that humans have a fixed set of natural properties)

Analytic Philosophy

breaks down convoluted topics into smaller components to evaluate its logic. more a set of methods than beliefs