This document discusses the debate around body-soul dualism between several ancient philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Descartes. Plato argued that the soul and body are two distinct substances, with the soul being the true identity of a person. Aristotle revised Plato's idea of forms with his Third Man argument. Descartes also viewed the mind and body as distinct, with the soul interacting with the body through important spirits.

1. Body-Soul Dualism
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2. The debate
 A number of ancient thinkers have tackled the topic of
body-soul relationship, beginning with Aristotle and
Plato.
 Descartes argues that the body and soul are two
distinct worlds
 Implies that a person has two distinct aspects that
correspond to two substances - the spiritual substance
(soul) and the material substance (body).
 Soul and body are two substances, each different and
independent of the other.
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3. The debate
 In Doctrine of Ideas, Plato argues that at any time
when two objects share a common name, they equally
have a common form.
 For example, even though there are numerous brands
of tables, the form or the idea of a table is only one.
 Plato states that these are autonomous non-physical
ideas that can only be feasible to those who appreciate
the bigger picture of their purpose in the world.
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4. The debate
 Aristotle revised Plato's Doctrine of Ideas when he
formulated the Third Man Argument.
 Plato highlighted the belief that if there is a virtual form
and an earthly form, then there is a third identical form to
make the resemblance.
 From this, Aristotle formulated his argument on essence.
 If the soul was an organ, then it could only receive specific
types of data, just like the eye can only take visual data and
the ear handles auditory data
 Since the soul has the capacity to receive and reflect on all
types of data, it cannot be a physical organ, which means
that it is immaterial.
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5. The debate
 Descartes argues that a mind is a thinking thing that
can operate independent of the body.
 Soul is in touch with the important spirits, and it is
through this contact that the interaction between the
soul and body is created.
 Interactive causation is significant because it
highlights the fact that mental and physical events
interact
- it also offers the implication of these interactions on
the soul-body dualism.
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6. The debate
 Plato, a dualist proponent, argued that a person's soul and
body are two dissimilar elements which intermingle.
 The real identity of a person is inherent is his or her soul.
 The real person is completely distinct from the body
 Soul did exist before the body, and after death, the soul will
leave the body.
 Soul is perfect at all times; however, the body persistently
corrupts it.
 Human beings have the responsibility of taking care of
their soul to prevent it from becoming corrupted.
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7. The debate
 Plato refers to the knowledge argument, which states
that within the world of changes, human beings have
certain universals that are not influenced by time and
space.
 There has to be an inherent element within us that is
equally unaffected by change.
 Soul defines the person since it remains the same
whatever change the person undergoes.
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