Dawkins view of life says that all life, including humanity, was created via a natural process. In that way, humanity is not distinct from the rest of the lifeforms. Humans are the way they are because of their genetic structure. DNA is the “soul” of all life. DNA is theoretically in charge of the body and its function so that its information can be passed on. In this way, the role of Plato’s rational soul belongs to DNA, but the survival machine developed the ability to make decisions, and not always good ones, independent of DNA. In this way, the mind now thinks for body, and it also takes on the other two parts of Plato’s soul, the spirited and appetitive parts, as well as the rational part. Dawkins reason for the mind to have these qualities is attributed to time. Humans have taught themselves over the ages to care for others and have developed spiritual and emotional wants and needs. The physical needs of Plato’s appetitive part of the soul are innate to Dawkins survival machine and the rest of …show more content…
For the materialist, the body is only the carrier, protector, and reproduction vessel of DNA. The dualist might argue that somewhat more important in that it carries the mind/soul. However, one could argue that the materialist DNA is not much different from the dualist soul in they both control the body, but in different ways. The mind also differs more between the dualist view and materialist view. The mind according to the dualist is essential, unique, free, and eternal. The materialist would argue that the mind is only a product of time that some might be better off without. They might also argue that the mind should be under the control of DNA, and that it is definitely not