Materialism

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Materialism

Materialism is a philosophical notion which holds that nothing exists apart from matter and that all phenomena arise due to material interactions. As such, it denies any importance to the existence and presence of human spirit and consciousness. The beliefs and traits of materialism are interdependent with evolution since the monism is based on the evolution theory. Materialists perceive the universe as a device constituting matter and controlled by naturalistic laws. Materialism relates to physicalism, a theory which holds that everything in existence is ultimately physical. According to this notion the mind and spirit are physical items which can be explained by the physical theory.

Nagel argues that the theory of materialism cannot be held accountable for the existence of life and consciousness. He states that philosophers who believe in materialism rely on natural laws to explain the attributes of humanity though in a retrospective manner. He alludes to the idea that materialism does not extensively explain the fact that the universe is aware of itself and that life, spirit and human consciousness are not part of matter. He explains how psychophysical reductionism fails to offer a theory for all elements in existence through physical science. Nagel also highlights that the relation between the mind and the physical universe can be linked to neutral monism as opposed to the materialism theory.

Nagel points out that all elements interconnected with the mind depend on living organisms whose existence is due to the chemical, biological and physical evolution of the universe. He indicates that it is difficult for him to believe the materialism account for the existence of organisms. According to him, the more information arises about the chemical premise of life and genetic code, the more the unreliability of the historical materialists account (Nagel, 5). He does not contend to the explanation given with regard to the evolution of life by the psychophysical reductionism theory. He adds that the origin of life cannot be explained by natural selection laws as held by materialism and physicalism. Nagel points out that the physical law cannot solely explain the existence and origin of the genetic code, the mode through which nucleotides convert into amino acids in the human body. He also argues that consciousness arises in various forms and that it is a subjective character in an organism (Nagel, 529). Additionally, he states that the subjective character is difficult to explain since it is impossible to exclude its features in reduction as is done with the phenomenal features of a substance whose chemical account is available (Nagel, 529-30).

Descartes in his attempt to explain the dualistic account for human nature states that the body and mind are very distinct. He alludes to the fact that the two organs can exist independently to elaborate this fact. Additionally, he highlights the infinite divisibility of the body and the indivisibility of the mind to emphasize their distinctness. According to Descartes, the mind must be perceived as a unitary being despite its various operations [Meditation (6)]. There is not much connection between the mind and the body.

 Descartes argues that thought is the distinguishing factor between human beings and animals. However, he states that his view of animals as complex machines due to lack of souls can be applicable to human beings since the structure and behavior of animals and human beings are similar [Meditation (6)]. It is evident that the criticisms of materialism by Descartes and Nagel are quite different. While Nagel criticizes the materialists’ explanation for the origin of life and consciousness, Descartes was more concerned the independence of the mind and body and the essence of thought in human beings. However, Nagel and Descartes critic the theory that all elements in existence constitute matter.

References

Descartes, R., & Cottingham, J. (2013). René Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy: With Selections from the Objections and Replies. Cambridge University Press.

Nagel, T. (1980). What is it like to be a bat? Readings in philosophy of psychology, 1(435), 159.

Nagel, T. (2012). Mind and cosmos: why the materialist neo-Darwinian conception of nature is almost certainly false. Oxford University Press.