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Adults are intuitive mind-body dualists.
Matthias Forstmann1, Pascal Burgmer1
1Department of Psychology, University of Cologne.
Journal of Experimental Psychology. General
|December 16, 2014
Summary
Most adults intuitively believe in mind-body dualism, viewing the mind as distinct from the body. This default belief is influenced by essentialist thinking, persisting even with scientific knowledge.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Philosophy of Mind
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Understanding the nature of consciousness and its relationship to the physical body is a longstanding debate.
- Investigating intuitive beliefs about the mind-body problem is crucial for understanding human cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test whether adults are intuitive mind-body dualists.
- To determine if this dualistic belief is a cognitive default.
- To explore the role of essentialistic reasoning in mind-body dualism.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 8 studies using thought experiment paradigms.
- Manipulated cognitive load and thinking styles (intuitive vs. analytical).
- Examined the impact of molecular origin (original vs. new) on property retention after duplication.
Main Results:
- Participants consistently attributed greater retention of physical over mental properties to duplicated beings.
- Cognitive load and intuitive thinking primes enhanced dualistic beliefs.
- Belief in dualism decreased when beings were recreated from new molecules, suggesting essentialism.
Conclusions:
- Adults exhibit intuitive mind-body dualism, which appears to be a cognitive default.
- Essentialistic reasoning about the mind significantly contributes to this dualistic belief.
- These intuitive beliefs persist despite scientific understanding of the brain's role in mental life.
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