Ghost In The Machine?

Sunday, August 7, 2011 - 14:10 in Physics & Chemistry

René Descartes’s theory of mind-body dualism suggests the existence of a material body and an immaterial mind - parallel to one another, but capable of communication via a metaphysical LAN line.  Descartes envisioned our bodies as biological locomotives, operated by otherworldly phantoms.  This concept of an immaterial realm, which somehow holds sway over the physical, is almost ubiquitous among cultures.  We humans crave explanations for what we observe, which in part gives rise to our smorgasbord of religious mythologies and elaborate metaphysical speculations.  Without an answer, we invent one…or so it was until modern times.read more

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