How metaphysical ignorance shapes the discussion on the nature of the mind.

Summary

Despite experiencing consciousness firsthand, Western thought often prioritizes physical objects over the mind. This analysis reveals how historical metaphysical ignorance, particularly regarding the mind-body problem, has paradoxically entrenched dogmatic dualism and materialism, hindering true understanding. By exposing these inconsistencies, the work illuminates how philosophical education can advance our grasp of the mind, benefiting fields like medicine.

Abstract

Despite the fact that humans experience the reality of consciousness first hand, a remarkable paradigm shift within the Western worldview has entrenched the notion of an inverted cognitive order: first we have objects, and only then minds, if we have them at all. How the community of minds developed such a counterintuitive theory, and how this mental product was elevated to the status of an undisputable 'scientific' principle is a long story, one that involves more cultural history than sound philosophical arguments, and nearly no science. Oddly, mainstream materialism helped qualifying another model for which very little rational support is available: dogmatic dualism. Psychiatrists in general lack the basic knowledge to deal with this metaphysical aspect of their 'objects', which greatly impoverishes the efficiency and decelerates the advancement of our understanding of the mind. This article will present the major inconsistencies of dualism, and why they ultimately promote materialism. Finally, I will stress how this diversion has been harmful for medicine, and how philosophical education could mitigate it.

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