Class Interaction Project #2

The Mind / Body Problem 

A fundamental debate that has permeated philosophy and psychology for years is founded on this question:  Is the mind separate from the body?  In other words, is awareness and our conscious experience something more than merely the physical functioning of the brain?  Or is the 'mind' simply a product of the physical functioning of the organ we call the brain?  In this longstanding debate, there are those who have asserted that the mind and brain are the same (monism), and those believe the mind and brain are different (dualism).  

Dualism is the belief that the mind is something separate and different from the brain.  In classic philosophical debates, those advocating this position often divide the world into the physical and the non-physical (or 'spiritual), hence the name 'dualism.'  This belief in  separate physical and non-physical worlds provided early philosophers a basis for explaining religious systems.  Philosopher Rene Descartes was an advocate of dualism, and asserted that in the interaction between the body (brain) and mind (soul), that the mind (soul) ultimately controlled the brain / body.

Monism is the belief that there is only one reality in the universe, that being physical reality.  Those subscribing to this idea believe that our psychological experience of the world, as complicated and marvelous as it often is, is founded solely in the physiological functioning of the brain.  Therefore, monists reject the notion that the mind and body are separate, but rather that they are one in the same.  Like with dualism, there are several different theoretical versions of monism.

Instructions: 

Step 1:

Consider the following main discussion question:
Are the mind and brain different, or are they the same?

Write a one paragraph essay explaining your position on the question:  "Is the mind separate from the brain?"  What is the evidence that you see the the world, or in the functioning of humans, that leads you to this conclusion?   Be sure to offer as many concrete, real life example that supports your belief as you can.

Step 2:

Post your position statement in the specified 'Discussions' message board within Blackboard.  To post your statement and interact with the class, access the Blackboard site for this class, click the 'Discussions' tab on the left navigation bar, and then select CI-2.

Post your position statement preferably no later than Tuesday of the week in which the discussion takes place.  But if you haven't posted your message by Tuesday, don't panic.  It's not too late.  Just be sure to post your essay as soon as possible.   

Step 3:

Check the bulletin board, read what your classmates have written and be sure to reply and comment on at least THREE other posted statements. You are encouraged to respond and defend your position by addressing challenges to your position on the issue you addressed in your position statement.  

IMPORTANT POINT: 
When posting your rebuttal to another students belief, DO NOT resort to personal attacks or insults in attempting to discredit another student's belief.  The tone of the debate should be friendly, logical and scholarly, NOT personal and emotional.  Keep in mind that these are philosophical issues and that there is not an ultimate right or wrong position to take.

Activity Summary:

Step 4:

A written activity summary is required before credit for this activity is recorded.  After completing the first three steps, answer the following questions.  Send your answers to the discussion questions through the assignment submission box within the Blackboard/Ce6 platform.  To access the assignment submission box, login to Cougarweb, click the link to this course, select the 'assignments' tab on the left, then click the link to 'CI-2: Mind-Body / Evolutionary Psychology Discussion." 

 Friendly tips: 

• The primary reason a student would receive a 'fail' on this write-up project is insufficient depth of discussion in answering the questions below.  One or two sentences for each question is not sufficient.  To ensure credit is awarded, answer each question with at least a brief paragraph, if not more.
• Please do not submit the summary before Saturday of the week in which the discussion takes place.  If you submit the summary too early, you will have missed the majority of the online debate and discussion, and therefore will not have a complete understanding of the arguments posted as the debate continues.

Please submit your answers to the discussion questions by midnight by the deadline specified within the Blackboard/CE6 course calendar..

1. Briefly summarize your position statement on the mind / body problem.
   
   
2. In your discussion group, did most of the essays lean toward monism or dualism?   Or were both positions equally well represented?  Explain.
   
   
3. Other than your own statement on the mind / body problem, what was the strongest argument offered by another student that supported your position on the this issue?  That is, explain a rationale that supported your view, but offered a different set of arguments or examples.
   
   
4. What was the strongest, most persuasive argument given by another student that differed from your own original opinion on the mind / body problem?  That is, explain a position that opposed your own original position.
   
   
5. After the activity, was your original belief in any way changed as a result of reading other's responses or by their rebuttals to your message?  Explain.
   
   
6. What is the most significant thing you learned from completing this activity?  Explain.
   
   
7. Any other comments or observations?

Copyright 2006 Collin County Community College District and Dan Lipscomb 
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