How does psychophysical dualism distinguish the mind or soul from the body?
In the philosophy of mind, psychophysical dualism distinguishes the mind or soul from the body by asserting that they are fundamentally different kinds of substances.12
According to this view, the physical properties of a human being belong to the body, which is a physical substance, while mental properties belong to the mind or soul, which is an immaterial substance wholly distinct from the body. This perspective, often referred to as substance dualism, posits that the mind is not identical to the brain or any physical mechanism.231
The classical formulation of this theory, developed by René Descartes, defines the mind as an immaterial, nonextended substance whose essence is thinking, whereas matter is defined by its extension in three dimensions. Because these substances are distinct, psychophysical dualists face the challenge of explaining how they relate, leading to various theories such as:14
- Interactionism: The mind and body causally affect one another.25
- Occasionalism: Apparent interactions are coordinated by the direct action of God.12
- Preestablished harmony: The mental and physical realms are separate but synchronized by God to function in perfect harmony.12