more from William Lycan

Single Idea 6528

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / A. Mind-Body Dualism / 8. Dualism of Mind Critique]

Full Idea

Evolution has proceeded in all other known species by increasingly complex configurations of molecules and organs, which support primitive psychologies; our human psychologies are more advanced, but undeniably continuous with lower animals.

Gist of Idea

In lower animals, psychology is continuous with chemistry, and humans are continuous with animals

Source

William Lycan (Consciousness [1987], 1.1)

Book Reference

Lycan,William G.: 'Consciousness' [MIT 1995], p.3


A Reaction

Personally I find the evolution objection to dualism highly persuasive. I don't see how anyone can take evolution seriously and be a dualist. If there is a dramatic ontological break at some point, a plausible reason would be needed for that.