Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
What is the Mind-Body problem?
Position‹2 of 4›

Mind-Body Problem: Idealism

This position presents the idealist answer to the mind-body problem: that only the mind truly exists, and the physical world we perceive is a composition of mental experience. It draws on cases such as hemiplegic stroke victims to argue for the primacy of mind over matter.

Supporting arguments · 1

  1. Hemiplegic stroke victims
    In a case study, hemiplegic stroke victims perceived themselves as fully able-bodied. Even though they were paralyzed, they claimed they could move both sides of their body, thus presenting the possibility that one’s experience of the world only exists in the mind.