Anthropology And The Monism-Dualism Debate

The debate of trying to understand the Body/Soul controversy is a topic that garners a lot of attention, especially in scientific endeavors. How can one find out what the relationship between the mind and the brain consists of? Does the mind and brain work independently? The Naturalist belief system stems from the view that through scientific investigation you can discover how natural laws or forces operate in the world. By studying the functions and cognitions of the brain, a Naturalist believes that they will be able to understand how the brain operates on all levels. In the study of Biological Psychology one looks at our thoughts, feelings and behavior as having a biological cause. On the other hand, Christians believe that God created …show more content…
Studies done of the brain have produced results that have dealt the theory of dualism a severe blow, especially to the classic view of body and soul due to the discovery that states of consciousness and mental activities are heavily dependent on what goes on in the brain. Cooper believes that brain activity does not necessarily produce mental activity, that the process can be reversed. Cooper’s thoughts are that holistic dualism, which is the belief in both the intimacy of the bodily and personal aspects of life and the possibility of personal existence apart from the body, is the best of both Naturalistic ideas and Christian views meshed together to create one view. The problem with this view from a Christian standpoint is that God states in James 2:9-10 “but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all”. As Christians, one cannot pick and choose ideas from the Bible to suit their thought or theory. The Bible is to be taken as the whole word of truth. Cooper (2000) believes that “some beliefs based on readings of Scripture are …show more content…
The Bible states in 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. Therefore, I believe what the Bible states and my perspective falls in line with what God says regarding us as being one. Our soul cannot be separated from our body any more than our being able to live if our heart was ripped out of our chest. As humans we are intricately designed beyond what any scientist or doctor will ever be able to figure out. As a Christian, there is not a body/soul controversy because we are made as one complete, whole body that works as God planned. I believe in monism, the fact that God in all His glory created me with a body and soul that work together, not as separate