Evolution of Mind-Body Theory: A Historical Perspective

Having retained dominance during its initial existence, the mind-body theory now subsists as multiple derivatives of its original foundation due to constant abuse by religious, cultural, and scientific ideology over time. Due to the possible existence of occurrences unperceivable to man, unscientific theory is met with insubstantial logical support. With vague traces throughout the time span of Hinduism, the mind-body problem emerges most active during the Cartesian era of Descartes. A solution to the mind-body problem is most problematic due to the rigid dichotomy of ideologies: Most notable is dualism in which the body and mind are separate entities, and monism in which body-mind is singular. Cited as the first religion with roots dating

During 5th century B.C.E, Plato referred to the body as a medium that was needed in order for a person to partake in humanly action. The individual person had forms, or external extensions that governed how the person functions. Evidence of a form may include the soul as Plato thought of the soul as existing before the body, remaining on as immortal. Aristotle, during the 4th century retained great similarity with his peer Plato on the topic of mind-body. Like Plato, Aristotle referred to the body as a combination between the material and the immaterial. Immaterial references the unworldly form, and the material references the actual body. The unworldly form is compared to the material with ideas such as the conservation of mass; That is to say, mind is thus considered immortal and exists in different

Born in 20 B.C.E in Alexandria, Greece in what is now modern day Egypt, Philo sought to justify Jewish ideology through the use of Greek philosophy. In the process, Philo made statements that were in dirsect support of dualist ideals citing the lifeless nature of the body and lifelike nature of the soul. In other words, the soul has direct control over the body. The main purpose of the body was not to exist in a physical form, but to provide a medium through which good works may be done and spirituality may be achieved. The soul exists limited within the body and is only eternal after the demise of the body. Philo’s philosophy was vital in the development of later religion, most notably Christianity. Epictetus of 55 AD Hierapolis (Present-day Turkey) viewed the body in a similar light as Philo, repeatedly insisting it was worthless and lacked any real influence on a being as a whole. All acts, according to Epictetus, were caused from a congenital essence of the mind. Philo, in contrast, implied the immaterial nature of the