Dualism vs. Materialism. Here are two views of Consciousness and what "Consciousness" is. The first is the Materialism or Materialist view of consciousness. Materialism: The belief that mind, consciousness, cognition, and intelligence are physical processes that can be explained through normal scientific investigation of the material world.
Now, Here is the "Dualism" or Dualist view of Consciousness. Dualism is the belief that mind, consciousness, cognition, and intelligence are separate and distinct from the material world and cannot be explained as purely physical processes.
For example, Rene Descartes was a dualist who believed that the mind made contact with the physical body through the pineal gland at the back of the brain.
QUESTIONS:
1. How are these views the same?
2. How are they different?
3. What is your belief of Consciousness? Are we merely complex biological machines that will (eventually) be completely explained and replicated through science? Or is our consciousness beyond our physical selves? Defend and explain your personal beliefs.
