The Interacting Mind : A Defense of Dualism in a Physical World

This book provides the first comprehensive defense of interactive dualism. It argues that current neuroscience actually supports rather than undermines interactive dualism, showing that purely physical explanations of volitional action face serious gaps that require nonphysical contributions.

The interaction problem—how a nonphysical mind can causally interact with a physical body—stands as one of the most formidable challenges to mind-body dualism. Critics have long argued that such interaction violates fundamental principles of physics, creates insurmountable metaphysical puzzles, and contradicts the success of physiological science. This book provides the first comprehensive defense of interactive dualism against these objections, demonstrating that they rest on faulty assumptions and misunderstandings of both physics and metaphysics. It goes beyond mere defense to present a positive case for interactive dualism. The author examines which causal theories best accommodate mind-body interaction and evaluates whether consciousness-collapse interpretations of quantum mechanics can facilitate dualistic causation. In a striking reversal, he argues that current neuroscience actually supports rather than undermines interactive dualism, showing that purely physical explanations of volitional action face serious gaps that require nonphysical contributions. The Interacting Mind removes the primary intellectual obstacles to accepting dualism while advancing our understanding of mental causation, free will, and the mind-body relationship. It is essential reading for philosophers of mind, cognitive scientists, and anyone interested in consciousness and human agency.