In this episode of Mind Matters, host Pat Flynn continues his discussion about substance dualism with experts Dr. Stewart Goetz and Dr. Charles Taliaferro. They explore arguments in favor of substance dualism, focusing on the primacy of self-awareness and the first-person point of view. They argue that our sense of self as substantial beings over time is more convincing than the materialist view that emphasizes physical bodies. They also discuss the concept of diachronic identity and the idea that persons can persist even after the death of their bodies. They criticize views that deny the enduring self and argue that such views have significant implications for moral responsibility and accountability. Drs. Goetz and Taliaferro also mention philosopher Alexander Rosenberg as an example of someone who takes a radical eliminativist stance, and while they disagree with his views, they appreciate his honesty in articulating them. This is Part 2 of a three-part conversation.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Part 1 of this conversation
• Pat Flynn at https://patflynn.com/
• Listen more at Pat Flynn’s podcast
• New book: Minding the Brain: Models of the Mind, Information, and Empirical Science