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Philosophy: Non-materialism, Physicalism, Duality, and Substance
A Bit Of Background On Our Separation and Our Oneness
Roaring Rivers
Torrents, Currents, and Ripples by Christyl Rivers, PhD
Are we mind or matter? Do you mind, does it matter?
Here is a sculpture of a guy based on a more famous one who was “thinking” therefore, he was “existing.” I think, therefore, I am.
This classic quote by Descartes is said to posit the idea of duality. We have a mind that thinks, and a body that is material.
Even today, we can’t see we want “body health,” It’s crazy-making, but we have to write “mind-body” health as if they are separate.
It’s a rather simple view, that appears to make no sense in the natural world. Later philosophers and thinkers continue to challenge the idea right down to today. But we still engage in separate and dualistic thinking.
The non-material soul, or those thoughts that are more than mere synapse firings in your brain, cannot be physically put in a box. What could they be then? Then, as now, people seem to have a need for the realm of the spiritual.