Can Neuroscientists Test a New Physicalist Mind/Body View: DiCoToP (Diachronic Conjunctive Token Physicalism)?

The mind/body problem has complicated interdisciplinary research between psychoanalysis and neuroscience. This article presents problems for both dualist and physicalist positions, introduces concepts such as independent mental causation, emergence, and multiple realization, and advances an original account called Diachronic Conjunctive Token Physicalism (DiCoToP). The account is claimed to reveal new puzzles, solve certain psychoanalytic problems, and is supported by some empirical evidence consistent with its view. The piece concludes by challenging neuroscience research to gather evidence for or against DiCoToP.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Given that disparate mind/body views have interfered with interdisciplinary research in psychoanalysis and neuroscience, the mind/body problem itself is explored here. Adding a philosophy of mind framework, problems for both dualists and physicalists are presented, along with essential concepts including: independent mental causation, emergence, and multiple realization. To address some of these issues in a new light, this article advances an original mind/body account-Diachronic Conjunctive Token Physicalism (DiCoToP). Next, puzzles DiCoTop reveals, psychoanalytic problems it solves, and some empirical evidence accrued for views consistent with DiCoToP are presented. In closing, this piece challenges/appeals for neuroscience research to gain evidence for (or against) the DiCoToP view.