Introduction
Balance in the body and mind is essential for life activities. However, some people may think they understand their minds better than their bodies. Even though some movements are made unconsciously by the human mind, individuals might trust their brains more. In this work, I will provide a personal opinion regarding this view and explain why the connection with the mind can be stronger than with the body.
In the three following paragraphs, I will explore the concepts of “I am not my body” and “I am my mind in more depth. Moreover, I will show how they are related to and necessary to the idea of mind-body dualism. The final two paragraphs will focus on the mind-body problem and elaborate on the issue of qualia with examples taken from The Matrix.
“I” Am Not My Body
Consciousness and unconsciousness play crucial roles in developing the human mind and body. Therefore, Descartes believed that because people are aware of their thoughts, a stronger connection can be built with the mind rather than hands and legs (Thibaut). The idea of the philosopher is also explained in The Matrix, where the human mind is not connected to the Matrix and is identified as a separate reality (The Matrix). Individuals who prefer to make only conscious decisions feel more connected to the mental condition rather than the physical.
“I“ Am My Mind
The concept of “I am my mind is close to the idea that people are not their bodies. However, Descartes provides two unique definitions that clarify the meaning more deeply. According to Thibaut, Descartes stated that this definition means identity, essence, and self-acceptance, which is accompanied by consciousness. The mechanism of personal awareness should be separated from the physical body for a better understanding of the self.
Relationship to Mind-Body Dualism
Both statements of Descartes suggest that people stay more balanced with their minds than their bodies. “I“ is not my body statement, which relates to dualism as it pays more attention to the comparison of mind and body. However, “I am my mind“ is more about the understanding of consciousness rather than the connection to the physical state. Therefore, it is essential to distinguish the two opinions and link them to mind-body dualism.
The Mind-Body Problem
The issue of dualism is related to the need to use consciousness in physical activity. Individuals should understand how feelings and emotions influence the need to move their bodies and use their limbs. The relationship between mental conditions and body activity is intense, and Descartes’s theory may contradict natural laws in this case. The Matrix also has a scene where people take their time to connect mind and body for physical and mental balance. Consequently, the philosopher’s theory cannot be related to every person, and this opinion should not be imposed on society.
The Problem of Qualia
Qualia raises contradictions in Descartes’s idea because some actions are closely related to mental conditions. Clark et al. explained that qualia are a definition of subjective qualities of consciousness (20). For example, the taste of chocolate and the feeling of pain include physical activity and a conscious understanding of what is happening. The problem of qualia arises from the issues related to the division of mind and body in all cases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Descartes’s visions make valuable points that make people believe they are more connected to their minds than their bodies. However, problems like qualia cause contradictions and drive people to think from different perspectives. Therefore, the idea of philosophers is not widely spread in societies, as every person may have a unique understanding of the concepts related to mind-body dualism.
References
Clark, A., Friston, K. and Wilkinson, S. Bayesing qualia: Consciousness as inference, not raw datum. Journal of Consciousness Studies, vol. 26, no. 9-10, 2019, pp. 19-33. Web.
Thibaut, F. The mind-body cartesian dualism and psychiatry. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 20, no. 1, 2022. Web.
The Matrix. Directed by Wachowski, Lana and Wachowski, Lilly. Warner Bros., 1999.