[_ Old Earth _] What is the Soul?

[Drew]

Hello Free:

What type of class is this? University (secular)? Bible College?

As you and others such as Shenren have pointed out, a Christian (or a theist) faces the challenge of explaining how a presumably non-physical God (or angels) interacts with the physical world. I personally have a lot of sympathies with dualism, but I also think a particularly naive form of it exists - a form that does not face the very real interaction problem.

Have you considered arguing that although dualism has its problems, it may have no more problems than other views? For example, a purely materialistic (physicalist) view of reality seems to leave no room for free will (for reasons I assume you are aware of).

Also, have you considered the possibility that humans may be conceptually-limited by virtue of the finite capabilities of our brains. It is entirely possible that concepts "exist" (in some sense), yet are inaccessible to us (even in principle) because our brains simply cannot represent them (for physical reasons related to the size and / or organization of the brain). So in the same way that the 20 neurons of a fly are simply too few to represent the most simple of concepts, our 20 trillion (or whatever) neurons limit the kinds of ideas that we can have. What is the point? Well, perhaps such an argument can be used to explain why we have such trouble solving the interaction problem. Perhaps dualism is true and the interaction problem actually has a solution, but it is too complex for the human mind to grasp.

 

[Free]

Hey Drew,

Thanks for the quick response. I didn't think I would get one for a day or two. This is just an intro philosophy class, so yeah, I'm struggling a little bit. However, should things go well, I will try and take a Philosophy of Religion course in the fall. I am attending a Christian liberal arts university/college.

Perhaps the form of dualism I put forward is naive, or pretty close to being naive, but I certainly am not ready to offer a solution to the problem itself. I just basically want to put forward some arguments in favor of dualism while (as you pointed out) giving some problems with physicalism. The chapter from the text that I am focusing on pits Descartes against John Searle.

I hadn't thought of arguing that we may not be able to grasp certain concepts with our minds since our brains are finite; although I have used that often in these forums.

Since I am much better at theology than philosophy (although I am not great at theology) I am having trouble coming up with strictly philosophical arguments for dualism. Guess I have a bit more reading ahead of me. I love philosophy, but for the most part, I just don't get it.