Monism

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What is monism?
A belief that we are nothing more than the body, of which the mind is an integral, non-separate part or a physical entity which is complete within itself and has no need for a spirit/soul
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Secular Monism-death
Death is the definite end of existence as when the body dies the whole person dies.
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Religious Monism-death
Original body revived, Ezekiel-Vally of dry bones. Body will become eternal at end times. Life after death only possible if whole human can survive.
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What is materialism?
A belief that only matter exists.
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Modern view
Humans are just very complex machines
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How are mental processes explained?
In terms of physics and biochemistry-electrical impulses in the brain
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Why has materialism risen in popularity?
Science, computers can mimic some functions of human brains and atheistic thinking (reject supernatural, look to natural explanation).
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Early Jewish thinking
mortal body with finite mortal life. Religion focus on covenant with God throughout the generations who live and die. (Divine purpose transcending this life only developed when the political nation broke down and the individual gained power)
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Why is monism easily understood?
Because it relates to life as we know it, the body is needed to understand qualities and character, so there is no point separating them
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Criticism of materialist thinking-psychological
Fails to explains psychological phenomena of desires, sensations and intention. Most people have an intuitive sense of self which can make choices (illusion?), they have consciousness that can feel guilt, pleasure and pain (could be electrical)
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Criticism of materialist thinking-sanctity of life
Based on materialist belief Skinner has been an advocate for; infanticide, euthanasia and placing animal rights alongside humans
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Theist monist views-Jesus
Bodily resurrection, original body-left tomb empty. Kept wounds on hands and feet (showed to Doubting Thomas)
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Criticising theist monist views-Jesus
Tomb empty but before the stone was rolled away, so could have just disappeared and Jesus got a new body. Also the disciples didn't recognise him at first-difference in body?
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Hick
New body, replica theory
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Replica theory
when individual dies they are replicated in a world that only God can see
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Replica theory example
Man dies in London is replicated in New York, identifiable as the previous man with continuation physical and mental characteristics, but not previous body
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What are the mental characteristics that are continued
consciousness, memory, emotion and volition.
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Why is referred to as a replica?
Because it cannot be a copy as there cannot be any others, in order to preserve originality of self.
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What is a positive of not needing the old body
Immediate resurrection, no period of death.
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What is Eschatological Verification?
The idea that life after death can be verified, as you will know after death
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Flaws of no continuation of the body
Could be regarded as a different person. St. Paul promises a new perfect body and sinless soul, how could this be recognisable as the same person
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Issue with new body-imperfect old body
Features such as mental illness can shape a person's character-without this they may seem like a totally new person.
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Issue with preserving originality of self
Saying that there can be only one replica to be a person makes the concept of self reliant on factors outside the person not inherent
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Ezekiel-vally of dry bones
God renewed the old bones, put flesh on them and breathed life into them. Revival of old bodies, means we have to wait till end times to live again.
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Ezekiel quotes
'cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live.' 'I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves'
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Aristotle
Believed mind and matter were one substance. Soul is the form and shape of the body, so cannot be separated, must be present for afterlife. Soul is principle of life and activity for the body. Soul is formal, efficient and final cause.
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Ryle
Believes mind and body are one, mind is the result of the body and brain. With depend on each other for survival. the mind animates the body and the body is the vessel of the mind. They cannot separate so there is no life after bodily death.
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Spinoza
Mental and physical were simply two modes of a more basic substance, that he called God or nature.
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What are idealists
Monists who believe that only the mind and mental processes exist
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Give an example of a idealist
George berkeley, he suggested that the physical realm is just a collection of ideas that exits in our minds, in other minds, or in the mind of God.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Secular Monism-death

Back

Death is the definite end of existence as when the body dies the whole person dies.

Card 3

Front

Religious Monism-death

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is materialism?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Modern view

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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