Descartes' Baby

1. Humans are natural-born dualists, perceiving the world as bodies and souls

Cogito ergo sum. I think, therefore I am.

Innate dualism. From an early age, humans perceive the world as containing two distinct realms: physical bodies and immaterial minds or souls. This intuitive dualism is evident in how we think about ourselves and others, attributing thoughts, emotions, and intentions to beings separate from their physical forms. Even young children demonstrate this understanding, showing an ability to distinguish between mental and physical entities.

Evolutionary roots. Our dualist perspective likely has evolutionary origins, as it allows us to navigate both the physical and social worlds effectively. The ability to understand objects as physical entities subject to laws of physics, and people as intentional agents with goals and desires, provides significant survival advantages. This dual understanding of the world forms the foundation for many uniquely human traits and beliefs.

Key aspects of dualism:

• Perception of self as separate from the body
• Attribution of mental states to others
• Belief in the potential for minds to exist without bodies

2. Our intuitive dualism shapes how we understand objects, artifacts, and art

To say that something is disgusting is to imply, "If you were to see it, you would find it disgusting too."

Object understanding. Our dualist perspective influences how we categorize and understand objects in the world. We tend to attribute essences to things, believing that objects have inherent, unchanging properties beyond their physical appearances. This essentialist thinking extends to how we perceive artifacts, often attributing intentional design and purpose to human-made objects.

Art appreciation. The way we appreciate art is deeply rooted in our dualist thinking. We value original artworks not just for their physical properties, but for the intention and creative process behind them. This explains why we place higher value on originals than on perfect forgeries, and why we can appreciate abstract or conceptual art that may not have traditional aesthetic qualities.

Implications of dualism in understanding objects and art:

• Essentialist thinking about natural kinds and artifacts
• Valuing of originals over copies in art
• Appreciation of intention and process in artistic creation

3. Disgust evolved as a protective mechanism but extends beyond food

Disgust obeys the two laws of sympathetic magic that were described by the anthropologist Sir James George Frazer in The Golden Bough.

Evolutionary function. Disgust originally evolved as a mechanism to protect us from potentially harmful substances, particularly in the realm of food. It helps us avoid ingesting toxins or contaminated food that could make us sick. This emotion is characterized by a distinct facial expression and physiological responses like nausea.

Extended disgust. Over time, the disgust response has been co-opted for broader social and moral purposes. It now extends beyond food to encompass a wide range of stimuli, including bodily products, certain sexual practices, and even abstract moral violations. This expansion of disgust into the social and moral realms has significant implications for how we interact with others and make moral judgments.

Key aspects of disgust:

• Originally evolved for food rejection
• Extended to other domains (e.g., bodily products, sexual practices)
• Used metaphorically in moral and social contexts
• Can lead to dehumanization when applied to people or groups

4. Morality emerges from our capacity for empathy and reasoning

Shallow are the souls that have forgotten how to shudder.

Foundations of morality. Our moral sense arises from the interplay of two key capacities: empathy and reasoning. Empathy allows us to understand and share the feelings of others, providing an emotional basis for moral concern. Reasoning enables us to develop abstract principles of fairness and justice, and to apply these principles consistently across different situations.

Development of moral emotions. Children begin to show signs of empathy and moral emotions like guilt and shame from a very young age. These emotions form the basis for more complex moral reasoning as they grow older. The development of morality involves both innate predispositions and cultural learning, with children gradually internalizing the moral norms of their society.

Components of moral development:

• Innate capacity for empathy
• Development of moral emotions (e.g., guilt, shame)
• Cultural learning of specific moral norms
• Reasoning about abstract moral principles

5. The moral circle has expanded throughout human history

The arc of the moral universe is long, and it bends towards justice.

Historical expansion. Throughout human history, there has been a general trend towards expanding the circle of moral concern. This expansion has included extending moral consideration to wider groups of humans (e.g., abolition of slavery, women's rights) and, more recently, to non-human animals and even the environment.

Factors driving expansion. Several factors contribute to this expansion of the moral circle. These include increased interdependence between groups, greater contact and familiarity with those previously seen as "other," persuasive narratives that encourage perspective-taking, and the accumulation of moral insights over time. However, this expansion is not always linear or irreversible, and can face significant resistance and backlash.

Key drivers of moral circle expansion:

• Mutual interdependence between groups
• Increased contact and familiarity
• Persuasive narratives and imagery
• Accumulation of moral insights over generations

6. We intuitively believe in an afterlife due to our dualist perspective

If the human body takes its origin from pre-existent living matter, the spiritual soul is immediately created by God.

Intuitive afterlife beliefs. Our dualist perspective naturally leads to the belief in some form of afterlife. If we see minds or souls as separate from bodies, it's easy to imagine that these immaterial essences could continue to exist after the physical body dies. This intuition is evident even in young children, who often believe that mental functions continue after death.

Cultural variations. While the specific details of afterlife beliefs vary widely across cultures, the general idea of some form of continued existence after death is nearly universal. These beliefs can provide comfort in the face of mortality and shape how societies handle death and mourning. However, they can also conflict with scientific understandings of consciousness as a product of brain activity.

Common elements in afterlife beliefs:

• Continuation of consciousness after bodily death
• Separation of soul or essence from physical form
• Potential for reward or punishment in afterlife
• Influence on how death and mourning are handled

7. Scientific understanding of the mind challenges our intuitive dualism

Science tells us that mental life is the product of the mind; it does emerge from living matter.

Scientific challenge. Modern neuroscience and cognitive science present a significant challenge to our intuitive dualism. These fields provide strong evidence that our mental lives, including consciousness, emotions, and decision-making, are the product of physical processes in the brain. This materialist view conflicts with the idea of a separate, immaterial soul.

Implications and resistance. The scientific view of the mind as emergent from brain activity has profound implications for how we understand ourselves and concepts like free will, moral responsibility, and the possibility of an afterlife. However, this view often meets significant resistance, as it conflicts with deeply held intuitions and religious beliefs. Reconciling our intuitive dualism with scientific understanding remains an ongoing challenge for individuals and society.

Key points of conflict between science and intuitive dualism:

• Nature of consciousness and self
• Origin of thoughts and emotions
• Possibility of disembodied minds or souls
• Implications for concepts like free will and moral responsibility

Last updated: April 25, 2025