Yes, the so called mind-body problem is ontological material, Ontology is part of metaphysics. Ontology is about what exists, often referred to as "substances". E.g. "Is mind the same substance as the brain or is it a separate substance from the brain?" (mind-brain identity theory anyone?)JackDaydream wrote: ↑August 22nd, 2021, 5:48 pm I have wondered a lot about the mind and body problem and definitely think that Fritjof Capra' s analysis of the way in which Descartes' split between mind and body has been a problematic split in Westen understanding. But, the mind and body problem is a recurrent issue in philosophy, ranging from the idealism of Berkley to the behaviorism of B F Skinner. It is such a complex area of philosophy and, from my perspective, a large part of the understanding is about whether 'mind' or body are seen as the most essential aspects of experience. However, it is extremely complicated, partly due to basic metaphysical assumptions, as well as basic understandings of terms such as mind and body, as well as ideas which have been explored in philosophy, such as 'soul' and 'spirit'' in the writings of Plato and Hegel, difficult to understand.
I am writing this thread with a view to an understanding of the mind and body problem in the twentieth first century, which comes in retrospect to so many philosophers, and it is also based on the thinking of psychology, which is based on empirical analysis, and evidence based research. Despite this trend, I am still left wondering about the how metaphysical assumptions and analysis of this can further our thinking, especially in terms of the mind and body problem, and how we think about the split. Is the split between mind and body illusory, and how can we think about the relationship between mind and body philosophically in a way which makes meaningful sense of our experience of reality?
Fritjof Capra is excellent as intro to metaphysics.
I agree with him about Descartes and I'd go further and say how cruel Descartes was to animals and what a cruel legacy, because he said they are automata(no minds).
one interesting theory of existence you may want to explore is called neutral monism: mind and matter are two aspects of the same thing i.e. nature.