Physiological Psychology: Cooper's Dualism Report Analysis

This report delves into the core of physiological psychology, focusing on the debate between monism and dualism, with a particular emphasis on the work of J.W. Cooper. The report explores Cooper's attempt to reconcile holistic dualism with contemporary science, philosophy, and reasoning. It examines the challenges faced by Christians in reconciling revelation with scientific findings, and considers the implications of dualism in light of modern scientific advancements. The report discusses the impact of brain science on understanding the mind-body relationship, the role of near-death experiences, and different anthropological viewpoints. It highlights the arguments for and against dualism, exploring the potential for psychosomatic harmony and the influence of minimal dualism on social values and common sense. The report concludes by synthesizing Cooper's arguments, offering a nuanced perspective on the ongoing debate within the field of physiological psychology.

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Physiological Psychology
Name
Institution

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Questions on holistic dualism, science and philosophy.
1. The purpose of Cooper writing this particular chapter is to attempt to show the
compatibility of holistic dualism and contemporary science, philosophy and
reasoning. He tries to compare whether the claim that we have separable souls
is like science, this is the issue that has brought up the monism-dualism
debate. Dualism is mainly based on the reading of biblical scripture while
monism is entirely based on modern science. Cooper explains how Christians
would be left in dilemma if they were to choose between anthropology based
on revelation and one built on reasoning. He anticipates a difficult choice for
Christians who believe in revelation. He compares possible outcomes of the
Christians reactions in relation to monism and their beliefs. He even considers
a possibility of dualism being compatible with present-day science and
philosophy as this would rule out the dilemma. Cooper concludes that not all
questions and problems have been answered but it seems realistic to affirm
that holistic-dualistic anthropology is not apparently incompatible with
findings of science or contemporary philosophy. He is trying to consider the
possibility of reconciling both monism and holistic dualism.
2. The discovery that has dealt a blow to dualism is owed to the classic view of
the body and soul being linked to the findings that mental events and states of
consciousness majorly relies on what goes on in the brain. Emotions, thoughts
and sensations can be affected by electrical stimulus of the brain and
chemicals.

Running Head: PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY 3
3. Re-experiencing past thoughts does not necessarily involve same brain cells
linking up in the same manner. Other parts of the brain can take over when the
functioning parts are damaged. It thwarts the thesis that all mental events are
linked to specific brain functions.
4. The brain comes first then the mind, in the absence of certain brain functions,
consciousness happenings and state of mind becomes automatically
impossible. The mind entirely depends on the brain for it to function
effectively. Many scientists worked with assumption that brain science would
ultimately be able to draw a relationship between particular states of the brain
and exact states of the mind.
5. It is not unreasonable to be a dualists in light of Cooper’s thought based that
dualist believes in revelations and no science has ruled out this. Furthermore it
is not certain whether there is complete connection between brain functions
and explicit states of consciousness.
6. Minimal dualism allows psychosomatic harmony and provides numerous
networks of mutual conditioning among religions. It goes ahead to provide
social values, language and millions of other correlatives known as common
sense. It is an individual decision to endorse minimal dualism.
7. The debate between dualism and monism have expanded and developed, with
the claim that dualism is harmonious with up-to-date science. The claim that
science vindicates dualism against its opponents have met heavy contradiction.
However the strange body experience some people have had when almost

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dying raises contradicting issues. The experiences goes past biblical teachings
and would provide great data if recorded. A great deal has been extracted from
this topic and reduced into writings by both investigators and Christians of
which some of them are uncritical. Two types of near death experiences can be
considered: one which includes view of this world from another position and
not the body; and those who allege experience of something trans-worldly.
8. It has been suggested that three types of anthropology could account for
personal existence in the intermediate state: the robust dualism supported by
Augustine, Descartes and Plato; the softer dualism of Thomism which
modifies Augustine and Aristotle; and spiritual monism which sees the body
as a provisional aspect. The four scholars that supports the alternative view
includes Augustine, Aristotle, Descartes and Plato.

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References
Cooper, J., W. (2000). Body, Soul & Life everlasting: Biblical Anthropology and the Monism-
Dualism debate. Grand rapid: Eerdmans publishing.