The Mind-Body Problem in Times of Ideological Radicalization
The
mind–body problem extends beyond a purely metaphysical dispute between idealism
and materialism. In contemporary contexts, debates concerning the origin of
mind and life have become increasingly politicized, often serving as focal
points of broader cultural conflicts. As a result, the philosophical question
of whether intellect or matter is ontologically primary is frequently obscured
by ideological commitments. This paper examines the mind–body problem from a
Marxist perspective and argues that historical materialism, when treated as an
exhaustive and universal explanatory framework, assumes a dogmatic rather than
evidential status. This critique, however, does not diminish the analytical
strength of Marxism in explaining socio-economic and historical processes.
Rather, it seeks to clarify the limits of its applicability. In addition, the
paper assesses the epistemic scope of Darwinian evolutionary theory, arguing
that while it constitutes a robust scientific framework—particularly at the
microevolutionary level—it remains limited with respect to questions concerning
the origin of life and mind. These limitations justify the continued
philosophical legitimacy of non-Darwinian and non-materialist paradigms as
complementary or critical alternatives within specific domains of inquiry.
Keywords: Mind, Body, Descartes,
Christianity, Evolution, Historical Materialism