The Mind/ Body: 1

THE MIND/ BODY PROBLEM

The Mind/ Body Problem

John H. Ackerson III

University of Phoenix

October, 2009
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The Mind/ Body Problem

The debate that attempts to conclude whether the body rules the mind or the mind rules the

body has found its way from the early beginnings of philosophy. Idealists and materialists have

taken philosophical positions that have permeated society through time and space. The efforts of

psychology have provided insight to aid in the effort to come to a solution in this philosophical

argument. Philosophy argues either the mind or the body, and psychology will argue the

relationship between the mind and body as a manifestation of life. The reciprocal relationship of

mind and body does not allow for the body to develop alone (Marxists, 2009); therefore, what

philosophers refer to as the mind body problem, originating with Descartes, refers to the

relationship between the mind and body. The assertion of Descartes was that the mind

considered, reflected, and reasoned, whereas the body was matter (Oregon State

University, 2009) that was no more than a fiction contrived by his mind (Wright, 2009).

Descartes believed that a thing separated from it self is not part of its essence; therefore, the mind

(essence) is distinct from the body because the mind can exist without the body (Socialscience.

Cypress College, 2009), and the realm of the body must be different from that of the mind and

consciousness.

Consciousness, according to Medical-dictionary, thefreedictionary (2009) [is] having an

awareness of one's environment and one's own existence, sensations, and thoughts (para. 1);

psychology is the study of that awareness by way of the soul or mind (EzineArticles, 2009).

Awareness is consciousness (Woodbridge, 1908); the manifestation of meaning within the realm

of consciousness begets awareness; indeed, that, which is in the realm of consciousness, has

meaning; therefore, without meaning, one would not be aware, or conscious, of its existence. To
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postulate, however, that one’s consciousness is dependent on assigning meaning to an object or

fact is to assert that facts, qualities, and objects can change in value (Bode, 1908). The

relationship connecting the unknowing thing with the knowledge of is meaning is consciousness

and the resulting awareness by way of personal experience. A clear relationship exists that

involves consciousness as consciousness relates to time and space. Time and space finds little in

the way of representation with regard to importance except in relation to movement, conversely

objects acquire a connection (Bode, 1908) that then creates a relationship within the thinking

thing, and the result is meaning through awareness, or consciousness. This relationship originates

with perception.

The realm of mind and consciousness relate to the physical body through perception.

Consciousness and perception maintain a constant connection between aether, the fabric

comprised of a “physical medium permeating the entire universe, endowing it with measurable

physical qualities" that interact incessantly with the sensory nervous system (Open-Site

Foundation, 2009, para. 6) and thinking thing. The recognition and analysis of stimuli effect the

neurological processes, which provokes intuition, insight, and knowledge, (Farlex, Inc., 2009),

allowing for the capacity of awareness. The personification of the relationship between physical

body and consciousness embody and represent one’s perception of the external world; Descartes

believed that perception was one of the innate abilities; however, others such as John Locke

disputed this view and suggested the base of knowledge was found in experience that was

“obtained through the senses or by reflection on residual sensory stimulation” (Sensation, 2007,

para. 1). Two qualities of experiences exist, according to Locke’s theory: the object holds the

inherent primary qualities of physical traits such as magnitude; whereas one’s perceptual
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faculties added to the thinking thing the secondary qualities such as color. In opposition to

Locke’s theory, because he believed it created dualism, George Berkeley, an ordained minister,

believed solely in perceptions (Sensation, 2007, para. 1) because he considered the physical

world as unnecessary; therefore, the materialistic view became irrelevant. The empiricist

perspective is a topic of importance related to the distinction of perception as being veridical;

perceptions are understood to be truthfully represented by one’s consciousness. On the other

hand, perceptions can be subject to error if knowledge is founded in perception, (Sensation,

2007, para. 1); if so, those errors are the result of an independent mind that transcends the

physical body?

Transcending physical function through the central nervous system is possible by way of

the independent mind according to many systems of belief. An example of this possibility

may be that of Buddhist and Tibetan Monks that have been the focus of study with regard

to their capacity to “lower their metabolism rate by 64 percent” [with meditation]

(Associated Content, 2009, para. 2).Descartes viewed the phenomenon of an independent

mind that was capable of transcending the body at what Descartes called a “jumping off

point.” The body, by way of pori, a Greek term that translates to “ways in” and “ways out,”

through the senses, allows for perpetual contact with the peripheral world. The body being

an active receiver is naturally in a constant state of flux and is in generative unity with

one’s consciousness. The relationship connecting body, mind, and space is continuous and

infinite (Sonia Cillari, 2009); however, Descartes considered the body a machine (Southern

Illinois University, Carbondale, 2009). therefore, a division exists between the mind and
body, as the mind is ethereal, and the body material. The “open system” of exchange is

dependent upon and indivisible from one another

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with regard to life. This reciprocal relationship of mind and body does not allow for the body to

transcend the body, except after the “death” of the “machine,” due to the essence of the

relationship. The independent mind, being ethereal, may very well not require the

association of the body; however, the body cannot quicken, nor even spark, without the

action of the spirit that provides the will to do so. For to remove the essence from the

whole of the relationship of mind and body would, therefore, detach the life-force, and

"every kingdom divided against it self will be ruined, and every city or household divided

against it self will not stand” (New International Version, Matt. 12:25); that would include

the body temple.

The mind body problem continues to be just that, a problem with that philosophers and

psychologists alike have grappled. Over the years, materialists, and idealists have made

their stand. Idealists believe that reality is sensational and involves the formation of ideas

by way of the mind and is in opposition to the views of dualism and materialism

(Idealism, 1997). All that is, is constituted of matter, according to materialism

(Encyclopedia of Empiricism, 1997); therefore the dualistic perspective of life in this

realm as being partially of mater and partially immaterial would be excluded. The realm of

mind and consciousness, according to Descartes, is that of an internal room, in which the

observer views the world (Dictionary of Existentialism, 1999), while making judgments

as to the validity of those observations. The relationship of the mind and body with regard

to the concept of an independent mind that transcends physical functions continues to be a

primary focus of both philosophy and psychology (Mind-body problem, 2002). The
establishment of the study of consciousness has been accepted; the ideologies applied by

psychological explanation are parallel to those employed by other

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Scientific theories that relate to the body existing in the material world. The foundations have

been set for the unification of theory (Mind, Classical Theories of 1997) that will include

the nature of the mind/body problem.

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References

Associated Content, Inc. (2009). Associated Content, Inc. Retrieved October 1, 2009, from

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/853699/the_mindbody_problem__pg2.html

Bode, B. (1908). Some Recent Definitions of Consciousness. Psychological Review, 15(4), 255-

264. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com, doi: 10.1037/h0064188

Dictionary of Existentialism. Westport: Greenwood, 1999. s.v. "MIND,"

http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/entry/gwexist/mind (accessed

October 03, 2009).

Encyclopedia of Empiricism. London: Routledge, 1997. s.v. "MATERIALISM,"

http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/entry/routemp/materialism

(accessed October 03, 2009).

EzineArticles. (2009). What is the Realm of Mind and Consciousness. Retrieved September 30,

2009, from http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-the-Realm-of-Mind-and-Consciousness?

&id=1251071

Farlex, Inc. (2009). Perception. Retrieved October 1, 2009, from

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/perception

Idealism. (1997). In Encyclopedia of Empiricism. Retrieved from

http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/entry/routemp/idealism

MIND, Classical Theories of. (1997). In Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy. Retrieved from

http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/entry/cwclassical/mind_classi

cal_theories_of
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References

Mind-body problem. (2002). In A Dictionary of Philosophy, Macmillan. Retrieved from

http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/entry/macdphil/mind_body_pro

blem

Open-Site Foundation, Inc. (2009). Luminiferous Aether - Etymology. Retrieved October 1,

2009, from http://open-site.org/Science/Physics/Modern/Luminiferous_Aether

Oregon State University. (2009). The Mind Body Problem. Retrieved September 30, 2009, from

http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/writing/mind-top.html

Marxists. (2009). Alfred Adler (1931) What Life Should Mean to You. Retrieved September 28,

2009, from http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/at/adler.htm

Medical-dictionary. thefreedictionary. (2009). conscious. Retrieved October 1, 2009, from

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/conscious

Sensation. (2007). 21st Century Psychology: A Reference Handbook. Retrieved October 1,

2009, from http://sage-ereference.com/psychology/Article_n19.html

Socialscience. Cypress College. (2009). Descartes Dualism. Retrieved September 30, 2009, from

http://socialscience.cypresscollege.edu/~wheusser/100/guides/sg12b_desc_dual.htm

Sonia Cillari. (2009). Performative spaces and the body as interface. Retrieved October 2, 2009,

from http://www.soniacillari.net/research.htm

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. (2009). Descartes's Body-Machine. Retrieved

October 2, 2009, from

http://www.folger.edu/html/folger_institute/experience/textures_hattab.htm
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References

Wright. (2009). Descartes' Meditations MEDITATION II. Retrieved September 30, 2009, from

http://www.wright.edu/cola/descartes/meditation2.html