Source: https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/INTRO_TEXT/Chapter%206%20Mind-Body/CONTENTS.htm
Written Assignment for MODULE 5 The Mind-Body Problem and Freedom and Determinism Problem
You must write and submit an assignment on EACH of the two Problems-parts A and B. Base your answer on research, class readings, class notes and your own reflections.
5 A . THE MIND BODY PROBLEM
Please indicate your familiarity with the readings in your answer -this means use some quotations to support your answers in all parts of this assignment.
Part 1. What is the Mind Body Problem or what was the Mind Body Problem? Why was it a problem? What has it become now in this time that we know so much more about human brains?
Part 2… There are twelve possible metaphysical positions listed below on this problem Do NOT explain all of them. Adopt ONE of them and defend it! ONLY ONE ! Dialectical thinking–You must demonstrate the dialectical thinking process. Be sure to provide evidence of having done the reading. Indicate clearly each of these steps from a to e in your submission. Label the steps from a to e.
a. Take a position on this Mind Body question or issue -only ONE position
Adopt a metaphysical position on the nature of the relationship between the mind and body-one of the twelve listed.
State what a body is according to that position.
State what a mind is according to that position.
b. Provide the reasons why you think this position is better defended by reason and evidence than are the alternative positions
c. State the reasons why you found the other positions flawed or less defensible than the one you are defending
d. State the criticisms of your position-What are the problems with it?
e. Respond to the criticisms- rebuttal- how do you defend your position in light of those criticisms
Please keep in mind that the Mind Body Problem for many has been transformed into the problem of explaining the origins of consciousness and intentionality (choice and decision making). Both the dualists and the materialist need to account for these phenomena.
Dualism Monism
1. Causal Interaction
. Parallelism
2.Pre-established Harmony
3.Occassionalism
4. Epiphenomenalism
5. Dual Aspect
6. Idealism
B.. Materialism
7. Radical Behaviorism
8. Logical Behaviorism
9. Identity
10. Eliminative Materialism
11. Structuralism
12 . Functionalism
5 B. FREEDOM and DETERMINISM PROBLEM
Please indicate your familiarity with the readings in your answer -this means use some quotations to support your answers in all parts of this assignment.
Take a position on this question or issue Do Humans have free will, if so, how free is it? Are all human actions determined, if so how so? to what degree? Which of these three theories do you think is most accurate in describing the human condition and why do you think so?
a. Take a position on this question or issue:only ONE of these options:
DETERMINISM
LIBERTARIANISM
COMPATIBILISM
b. Provide the reasons why you think this position is better defended by reason and evidence than are the two alternative positions
c. State the reasons why you found the other two positions flawed or less defensible than the one you are defending
d. State the criticisms of your position
e. Respond to the criticisms- rebuttal- how do you defend your position in light of those criticisms
CAUTION: Read the textbook first. This is not about freedom from consequences.
CAUTION: This is NOT about FATE or DESTINY or agents of any kind that have predetermined all events.
Indicate clearly each of these steps from a to e in your submission. Label the steps from a to e.
