Mind: a property of matter

This book puts the case for an approach to the nature of mind called “causally effective property dualism”. It starts by showing that on simple, plausible assumptions reductive physicalism, the proposition that mental states can be explained in terms of physics, is impossible. If mind is related to matter it must then be the case that there is another property of matter besides those currently studied in the physical sciences that gives rise to mental states. For example, there could be some process at the micro-level of physics, relating to fundamental particles and/or quantum mechanics, that enables a decision-taking type of process to develop. If this were the case, evolution would select the organisms that take the most effective decisions and complex organisms would develop, that benefit from experiencing feelings that enhanced their likelihood of survival. The book spells out the details of this approach and examines it carefully in the context of current philosophical thought regarding the nature of consciousness.