Solution of the Mind-Body Problem and Mathematics Teachers’ Instruction Implementation

Abstract

Philosophers of mind do not have a common understanding about the mind-body problem breading to three schools of thoughts; dualism, monism and dual-aspect monism. Dualists hold that mind and body are two ontological distinct entities in man. Monists hold that mind and body are not two ontologically distinct entities, they are not independent entities, and that man is one and only one supreme metaphysical being that exists. Dual-Aspect Monism holds that there exists a neutral metaphysical substance in man manifesting physical and mental properties. An attempt to solve the mind-body problem begun in the 4 th C, BC, when Plato conceived that, mind is an independent substance in man such that mind and its mental properties cannot be described in terms physical scientific means. Descartes attempted to solve the mind-body problem in the 17 th century, AD and concluded that mind is an independent substance with non-physical characteristics distinct from the physical brain. Through review of the available literature on mind-body problem, it is observed that man is composed of two metaphysical parts: the physical part and non-physical part. The non-physical part is morphological similar in appearance and shape to the physical part existing in a Supreme being in complex monism form, termed as Dual Substances-Monism. Moreover, the solution of the mind-body problem is that, mind and brain are two ontological distinct substances, brain as a real substance in physical man and mind as a non-real substance in non-physical man. Brain and Mind are dually compact as one substance and irreducible in physical context. Moreover, the soul supplies energy and intensity to the non-physical part to enable the brain command the physical part to perform physical actions. The brain accepts commands from the mind for physical execution. This complete cycle is termed as the reciprocate property. In the Mathematics instruction implementation, learning takes place in the reciprocate property; perception of the reality into mind with the control of the brain for mental processing, and then the brain accepts commands from the mind of the processed ideas for execution, the process that develops learners attitude, knowledge, skills and competences. Keywords: Mind, Dualism, Monism, Dual-Aspect Monism, Dual Substance-Monism, Mental Properties, Physical Properties, Physical Man, Non-Physical Man DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-25-02 Publication date: September 30 th 2023