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From: kjh@seas.smu.edu (Kenneth J. Hendrickson)
Subject: Re: Reductionist Materialism (was Re: I lie
Message-ID: <1994Nov17.225842.9116@seas.smu.edu>
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Date: Thu, 17 Nov 1994 22:58:42 GMT
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In article <1994Nov15.173050.26148@news.unige.ch>,
JOHNSTONE Tom <johnston@fapse.unige.ch> wrote:
>How does the "non-physical" component interact with the physical (and
>vice-versa)?  Why is it that purely physical phenomena can have such
>huge effects on the "non-physical" mind (when I get very drunk, my
>thinking, personality, inner thoughts, concept of self etc. etc. all
>change radically)?

You are right to point out that physical stuff greatly affects the
operation of our non-physical minds.  It is also true that our
non-physical minds have a great affect on our physical bodies.  For
example, a patient's outlook and mood greatly affect the healing
process.  Both of these themes have been well established in the medical
field in this century.

>And where did this "non-physical" mind come from?

Before the religious dogma of Darwinian Evolution became orthodox, it
was acceptable to attribute the existance of both the physical and
non-physical to a Creator.

>Do single cell lifeforms have it - or are we humans the privilaged
>few?

I don't think amoebae have minds, but your cat or dog does.  As
Aristotle pointed out, while your cat or dog has some sort of a mind, it
is not the sort of mind that humans have.  Out of all the creatures, man
is the only one with a rational mind.

>If we were able to make an exact replica of a single cell lifeform
>(atom-by-atom for instance), would it suddenly aquire a "non-physical"
>presence, or would it not work at all?

If amoebae have no non-physical components, that it ought to be possible
to make exact replicas.  If cats and dogs and humans do have
non-physical components, such as I claim, then it will not be possible
to make exact replicas of them (except in the bedroom).  Therefore, your
question is moot.

-- 
"Arguing about predestination is virtually irresistible."    --RC Sproul
Ken Hendrickson N8DGN/5           kjh@usc.edu           kjh@seas.smu.edu
