[Buddha-l] Physicalism (was Re: Emptiness)

[Richard Hayes]

On Fri, 2007-10-26 at 05:57 -0700, Bill Kish wrote:

> Doesn't physicalism commit you to view the mind as a natural 
> phenomenon consisting of the same sort of matter/energy that 
> comprises the human body ?  If so, then doesn't this amount to
> making the body primary when considering the mind-body continuum ?

Yes, if one insisted on physicalism as the right answer, then one would
be committed to what you say.

> Also, in the view of physicalism you are drawn to, does it make
> sense to distinguish mental properties from physical properties ?

No. 

I'm glad you stated my attitude toward physicalism correctly. I am drawn
to it. I grew up in a household in which physicalism was the prevailing
dogma, and I feel perfectly comfortable thinking in physicalist terms.
But I see huge problems with this view, as I do with all the
alternatives. In the absence of compelling reasons I switch sides, I
stick with my childhood prejudices and am quite happy that other people
stick with theirs.


-- 
Richard Hayes
Department of Philosophy
University of New Mexico