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2. The nature of persons: dualism vs. physicalism

YaleCourses・26 minutes read

The text explores the philosophical debate on the possibility of life after death, examining the concepts of dualism and physicalism to understand the survival of the soul post-body death and the potential immortality of the soul. The discussion delves into the distinction between bodies and souls, addressing the fundamental question of what constitutes a person and whether the soul can exist independently of the body, ultimately exploring the metaphysical nature of the soul and its potential for continued existence beyond bodily death.

Insights

  • The discussion on life after death revolves around the philosophical debate between dualism and physicalism, with dualism positing that a person consists of a body and a soul, potentially allowing for the soul's survival after bodily death.
  • The central question of whether an individual can exist beyond bodily death hinges on understanding the nature of a person, with dualism suggesting the possibility of an immaterial soul continuing after the body's demise, while physicalism asserts that a person is solely a material body without an independent soul.

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Recent questions

  • Can a person survive after death?

    Yes, dualism posits the soul can persist.

  • What is the physicalist view on personhood?

    Person is considered solely a material body.

  • How does dualism view the soul's immortality?

    Dualism suggests the soul may be immortal.

  • Where is the soul located according to dualism?

    Location of soul debated, some believe with body.

  • What does Plato's Phaedo aim to argue?

    Plato's Phaedo argues for soul's immortality.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Life After Death: A Philosophical Inquiry"

  • Professor Shelly Kagan introduces the question of whether life after death is possible, focusing on the survival of an individual after their death.
  • The discussion delves into understanding the nature of a person and what constitutes a person's identity, emphasizing the need to clarify these concepts before addressing the possibility of survival after death.
  • A philosophical objection is raised, suggesting that the question of life after death is based on a misconception, as death signifies the end of life, making the idea of survival after death illogical.
  • The objection highlights that the concept of survival implies continued existence, which contradicts the finality of death, leading to the conclusion that survival after death is not feasible.
  • The objection is countered by emphasizing the need for a precise understanding of the question being asked, aiming to reframe the inquiry into a coherent and legitimate philosophical query.
  • The discussion shifts to the physiological aspects of death, detailing the process of bodily death involving the cessation of bodily functions and cellular breakdown.
  • The question of whether an individual can still exist after bodily death is posed, suggesting that this inquiry is a valid and coherent one that requires further exploration.
  • The focus is redirected to the fundamental question of what constitutes a person, with the understanding that determining the possibility of existence after bodily death hinges on comprehending the nature of a person.
  • The need to clarify the question of potential existence after bodily death is highlighted, leading to the formulation of a more concise inquiry: "Will I survive the death of my body?"
  • The discussion underscores the importance of understanding the essence of a person in addressing the possibility of survival after death, setting the stage for further exploration into this philosophical inquiry.

14:41

Metaphysical Views on Personhood: Dualism vs Physicalism

  • The two prominent positions on the metaphysics of the person are the dualist view and the physicalist view.
  • In the dualist view, a person is a combination of a body and a soul, with the soul being nonphysical and distinct from the body.
  • The physicalist view, or monist view, states that a person is just a body, a material object capable of extraordinary functions.
  • Dualism suggests that the soul can exist independently of the body, offering the possibility of life after the body's demise.
  • Death, in the dualist perspective, is seen as the separation of the soul from the body, allowing the soul to potentially persist.
  • The person, according to dualism, is strictly the soul, with the body being a separate component that can be destroyed without affecting the soul's existence.
  • Dualism raises questions about the distinction between bodies and souls, the survival of the soul after the body's death, and the potential immortality of the soul.
  • The survival of the soul post-body death is not guaranteed, as the soul could potentially be destroyed simultaneously with the body.
  • The existence and survival of the soul after the body's death raise further questions about the duration of the soul's existence and potential immortality.
  • Exploring the metaphysical nature of souls, their survival post-body death, and potential immortality are crucial aspects of the dualist perspective on the person.

32:04

Debating Immortality: Plato's Phaedo Perspectives

  • Plato's Phaedo aims to argue for the immortality of the soul.
  • The dialogue questions whether an immaterial soul can be destroyed by a material process.
  • Interactionist dualism suggests that the body can influence the immaterial soul.
  • The location of the soul is debated, with some believing it is where the body is.
  • The text explores the existence of the soul, its survival after death, and its potential immortality.
  • Two contrasting views are presented: the belief in an immaterial soul and the physicalist view that a person is just a body.
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