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Parker's Pensées

Ep. 246 - Souls Are Back, And You Are One! w/Dr. Joshua Farris

Sep 1, 2023
Dr. Joshua Farris, an expert on souls and the mind, dives deep into the philosophy of substance dualism and the complexities surrounding personal identity. He explores the relationship between the soul and mind, discussing their definitions and roles in understanding reality. Farris weaves in humor and insightful anecdotes while examining the impact of Cartesian thought on contemporary philosophy and theology. The conversation also touches on the implications of divine creation, near-death experiences, and how these ideas relate to artificial intelligence and personhood.
01:32:47

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast explores substance dualism, emphasizing the distinct nature of mind and body while challenging materialistic perspectives on consciousness.
  • Dr. Farris discusses the concept of individual souls being created by God, differentiating it from biological transmission and examining the implications for personal identity.

Deep dives

The Concept of Substance Dualism

Substance dualism posits that the mind and body are fundamentally distinct substances, each with different properties. The discussion highlights the immateriality of the mind, which is central to the understanding of personal identity, consciousness, and the self. Arguments for substance dualism include cognitive access and the uniqueness of first-person experiences that cannot be fully explained by physical processes alone. This perspective challenges materialistic views by insisting that there is something about the mind that cannot be reduced to physical descriptions, thus calling for a careful examination of human existence beyond mere biology.

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