Arguments Against Dualism

The first argument I put forward to support dualism is; the brain and mind of human beings are different from each other. They both have unique properties and distinctive roles in human beings. The brain has definable characteristics that can be observed and analysed (Robinson, 2012, p.2). For example the activity of the brain when sleeping is examinable on electroencephalograms (Marieb & Hoehn, 2013, p.452). A magnetic resonance imaging reveals the location of different functions of the brain (Marieb & Hoehn, 2013, p.432¬). When dissected, the brain’s physical properties, such as size, shape and colour can be analysed (Robinson, 2012, p.2). On the other hand the mind is not discernible to science, it does not have physical properties like the brain. The mind is a mental awareness of the interactions occurring within and around the human body (Robinson, 2012, p.7). It observes and moderates our thoughts, emotions and reactions (Robinson, 2012, p.2). The mind is the human body’s mental state. It is private and only observable to other humans, by that human’s behaviour, actions and voiced output
It is a claim that the world is physical, and as such, there is no spiritual, mental separation of the human mind and brain (Smart, 2012, p.1). Since there is no difference between the two, the human mind and brain are the same entity (Smart, 2012, p.1). For if “sensation X is identical to brain process Y then if Y is between my ears and is straight or circular … then the sensation X is between my ears and is straight or circular” (Smart, 2014, p.3). It is maintained, that the workings of the mind equals the workings of the brain (Smart, 2012, p.1). Human beings are only human, physical bodies. Therefor human being’s behaviours, judgements and responses are all an action of the brain, which could also be called the mind. Meaning the mind is explainable, according to laws of physics and chemistry (Calef, 2015,