Interactionism

[A4B4]

In reading up on Dualism, I came across the familiar topic of Interactionism, and the problems surrounding it. For example, if the mind is indeed separate from the body, then how can they interact? When I think to myself, "Get up and go for a run," how does that thought get turned into that action?

Now, this seems really similar to the topic of the Big Bang--how can something physical come from something non-physical? And so it seems to be that these two issues are very closely related, which is very interesting considering that attempts to reduce everything to that which is physical have met many of the same difficulties.

What are your thoughts on this? Are these the same issue, or unrelated? Could this prove that, at the helm of the universe is a mind not unlike ours? Or, what do you think about Interactionism or Dualism in general?

 

[Willamena]

Now, this seems really similar to the topic of the Big Bang--how can something physical come from something non-physical?

But that's no part of the Big Bang Theory, as I learned it.

 

[A4B4]

But that's no part of the Big Bang Theory, as I learned it.

To be technical, you're correct. Originally it was thought to be such, but since then the Big Bang Theory has been modified to be the beginning of our universe, not the beginning of all which is physical. It is now said to be the collision of two membranes which caused the Big Bang, in what is known as M-Theory. To the best of my knowledge, there is as yet no mainstream theory as to where the membranes came from, so the transition from non-physical to physical is still as elusive as ever. There are books to this note, although I really don't want to go into too much technical detail.

Perhaps all that is physical is indeed eternal, however perhaps not. Most scientists seem to believe in an expiration of the universe--although not necessarily the multiverse, which far less is know about--but even still, that either had a beginning is far more probable than either having an end.

I'm trying to touch on the philosophical aspects here, moreso than the physical aspects. I simply used the term "Big Bang" for its mainstream definition, which was its original intent.

 

[Willamena]

What are your thoughts on this? Are these the same issue, or unrelated? Could this prove that, at the helm of the universe is a mind not unlike ours? Or, what do you think about Interactionism or Dualism in general?

A comparison of "something physical coming from something nonphysical" isn't apparent here. Thought producing motion, yes; while Big Bang producing a universe, no.

But on the topic of something from nothing, a thought produced --yes, along the notion that we observe thoughts, we don't "make" them.

To the best of my knowledge, there is as yet no mainstream theory as to where the membranes came from, so the transition from non-physical to physical is still as elusive as ever.

Is it your belief that there is a "transition"? (i.e. a basis for comparison)

I'm trying to touch on the philosophical aspects here, moreso than the physical aspects. I simply used the term "Big Bang" for its mainstream definition, which was its original intent.

Perhaps not so mainstream as intended.

Perhaps a delve into Plato's cave might be more constructive?

 

[dust1n]

In reading up on Dualism, I came across the familiar topic of Interactionism, and the problems surrounding it. For example, if the mind is indeed separate from the body, then how can they interact? When I think to myself, "Get up and go for a run," how does that thought get turned into that action?

I think it is a bit understood that the 'thought' is an action which produces the action of running after wards.

 

[ManTimeForgot]

The "thought" is translated into action via expectation. Modern neuroscience has found that we do not so much "will" our bodies to move, but rather create the expectation that it will happen and the body follows through on that.

And as far as I concerned that is not the same issue. Something immaterial can very easily generate something material. Energy gets converted into matter and vice versa all the time. There is no reason to assume that a similar relationship could not exist between a "material holding universe" and whatever medium from which it is constructed (that presumably is non-material).

The better or perhaps more related question is one of the "soul" or consciousness. Does complexity of matter give rise to consciousness/soul? If so where is the root of consciousness/soul in the matter? What combination of factors allows for the essence of individualization to occur? And if consciousness/soul is separate from the brain, then by what mechanism does the brain tap into it?

MTF