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Definition:
In its more general form, dualism argues that all substances can be located within a
dual system because they must all be mental or material, and neither group is
reducible to the other. More specifically, dualism is a theory of mind which argues
that mental states and physical states are two completely different and distinct
phenomena.
Thus, our mental states cannot be explained by the physical states of the brain, which means we must find some other, non-physical explanation for why we think and believe certain things. Variations on the concept of mind/body dualism include interactionism, parallelism, and epiphenomenalism, all of which have been developed over the past century in an effort to explain why the mind and body are so different, even though they appear to be so closely connected and coordinated.
There is also something called ontological dualism, a theory according to which all of reality can be divided into two different kinds of being (for example, mind and matter), neither of which can be reduced to the other.
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Related Resources:
What is the Philosophy of Mind?
The relatively recent specialty known as Philosophy of Mind deals with questions of consciousness and how it interacts with the body and the outside world. Thus, it asks not only what mental phenomena are and what gives rise to them, but also what relationship they have to the larger physical body and the world around us.What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
