Two Sides of the Same Coin: Panpsychism as a Solution to the Mind-Body Problem
Presenter Hometown
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Major
Philosophy and Political Science
Department
Philosophy and Religion
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Minh Nguyen; Steve Parchment
Mentor Department
Philosophy and Religion
Recommended Citation
Coyle, Andrew, "Two Sides of the Same Coin: Panpsychism as a Solution to the Mind-Body Problem" (2019). University Presentation Showcase Event. 38.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2019/undergraduate/38
Abstract
In his Meditations on First Philosophy, René Descartes set the framework for the Mind-Body problem in philosophy. Descartes suggested that humans are composed of two distinct substances: a physical, non-thinking Body, and a non-physical, thinking Mind. This view is called substance dualism. The Mind-Body problem is this: if humans are indeed composed of two distinct substances, how could the substances interact? In this poster, I provide an answer to this question: all of reality is not two distinct substances, but one substance that is both mental and physical. This view is called panpsychism. In this poster, I present a history of the Mind-Body Problem and defend the position that panpsychism is the best solution to it.
Presentation format
Poster
Two Sides of the Same Coin: Panpsychism as a Solution to the Mind-Body Problem
In his Meditations on First Philosophy, René Descartes set the framework for the Mind-Body problem in philosophy. Descartes suggested that humans are composed of two distinct substances: a physical, non-thinking Body, and a non-physical, thinking Mind. This view is called substance dualism. The Mind-Body problem is this: if humans are indeed composed of two distinct substances, how could the substances interact? In this poster, I provide an answer to this question: all of reality is not two distinct substances, but one substance that is both mental and physical. This view is called panpsychism. In this poster, I present a history of the Mind-Body Problem and defend the position that panpsychism is the best solution to it.
