Dualism and Physicalism

                                         

I think; therefore I am.

Physicalism affirms the existence of the body and denies the existence of the mind or soul, while dualism affirms the existence of both the body and the soul. Therefore, I am in agreeance with Descartes.

The well-known quote by Rene Descartes is the basis of his theory known as dualism. The intermingling of mind and body., “I am a mind with a body.” Descartes argues that the self exists in consciousness and that the body is simply a machine the mind controls. (our brain) We can imagine being in a different body, but we cannot imagine being a different consciousness. We act within the physical world and we can act within our own minds.

The benefit to a dualist belief is that we exist beyond our mortal bodies and can continue to exist despite the death of our bodies.  our mind holds the power of imagination, recognition, and appreciation, and is responsible for processing feelings and emotions, resulting in attitudes and actions.