At a general level, theories about the nature of the mind can be separated into three categories: monistic theories, dualistic theories and non-standard theories. I prefer dualistic theories over monistic theories and non-standard theories. According to dualism, the mind and body are two different properties. In this paper I will be describing dualism in general, and I will be analyzing emergentism and epiphenomenalism and explaining which view one might want to hold.
Explication of the view Dualism simply states the mind and body are separate. Dualism can be split into substance dualism and property dualism. Substance dualism states that there are ultimately two kinds of stuff: mental stuff and physical stuff. The original form of dualism is substance dualism, which requires that mind and body are composed of two distinct substances. According to substance dualism, the mind (or the soul) is comprised of a non-physical substance, while the body is made up of physical substances. Substance dualism also states, the mind and body are capable of casually affecting each other. Property dualism states that there is ultimately only one kind of stuff…show more content… In this next section I will be arguing why one might chose emergentism to epiphenomenalism. I tend to reject epiphenomenalism because this view denies that the mind has any influence on the body or any other part of the physical world: while mental states are caused by physical states, mental states do not have any influence on physical states. Mental events are viewed as completely dependent on physical functions and, as such, have no independent existence or casual efficacy. Fear seems to make the heart beat faster; though, according to epiphenomenalism, the state of the nervous system causes the heart to beat faster. Consequentially, this view holds the idea that the mind is smoke and not casually