The mind-brain problem, or mind-body problem as it is sometimes
called, is an age old one. It refers to the relationship between the
physical and the mental and has been debated by philosophers since the
times of Plato in ancient Greece. Does the mind influence behaviour or
is it the brain and biological processes which determine how we act? Is
there some sort of relationship between them? Theories which have been
put forward generally fall into the classifications of monism, dualism,
and compromises.
Monism
This is the view that there is only one kind of existence or reality.
Mentalism (Idealism, Subjective Idealism) - this view states that only
the mental world exists. The physical world is only in existence in our
minds, a bit like a dream. Although it is impossible to disprove this
view, it is not appealing to scientists.
Materialism - this view claims that only the physical world exists.
Reductive materialism holds that mental states are the result of
physical events.
Phenomenalism - this perspective implies that neither the mind nor body are able to be substantiated and so only ideas exist.
Several other forms of monism exist which tend to debate how mind and
consciousness may exist as part of the properties of physical matter but
ultimately being the same thing.
Dualism
This is the view that the mind and the brain are separate entities. Physical and mental substances are fundamentally different.
Interactionism - this view holds that although mind and brain are
separate they interact and thereby influence each other. The brain could
influence mental states and mental states could influence physical
events. It emerged from the French philosopher, Descartes. The problem
is how can there be a non-physical substance - a mental substance -
which controls the brain? Many scientists struggle to accept this could
be the case because it defies scientific truths.
Parallelism (psychophysicalism) - this is the standpoint that whilst the
mind and brain are separate, they are correlated. However, this
agreement is predetermined and they do not influence each other. It
emerged from the views of the Dutch philosopher, Spinoza. The problem is
that should a person experience brain damage e.g. in a car accident,
does this mean that this was always going to happen at this precise
moment?
Compromises
These combine some monist and dualist ideas.
Double aspectism - this is the view that neither the mind nor the body
are independent entities. Rather, minds and bodies are intertwined into a
single existence, and neither could exist without the other.
Epiphenomenalism - this view suggests that the physical world is the
basic kind of existence and that the mind exists only as a consequence
of the material world.
Clearly there is no easy answer to the mind-brain problem. In many
respects, the philosophy someone holds will depend upon how they
approach the problem. Some people prefer to look at empirical data from
studying biological processes, some base their views on religious
thinking, and others are more pragmatic.
Study Biopsychology with us for a better understanding of this physical-mental relationship