| Description of Cartesian dualism |
Mind and brain as compartmentalized, noninteracting parts of human beings |
Descartes proposed an interactionist dualism, with profound, constant, and mutual mind-body influences |
| Dangers and harms of dualism |
Major block to neuropsychiatry and a biopsychosocial approach |
Interactionist dualism does not deny neuropsychiatry and fosters a biopsychosocial approach |
| Academic reputation of dualism |
Dualism is a primitive/superstitious view, not intellectually credible. No learned person accepts it |
Dualism is alive in contemporary mind-brain debates, defended by reputable philosophers and neuroscientists |
| Mind-brain relationship |
It has been proved that mind is a product of brain activity (physicalism) |
The mind-brain relationship is still an open question. Most empirical findings can be accommodated to both physicalist and nonphysicalist views of the mind |
| Psychiatrists’ views of the MBP |
Most psychiatrists accept physicalist views of mind |
There are very few studies on the subject, and the available evidence suggests that a substantial portion of psychiatrists, health professionals, and university students reject physicalist views of mind |
| Nature of mental disorders |
Mental disorders are brain disorders/diseases and this view would reduce stigma |
The nature of mental disorders is a controversial topic. Mental disorders are related to a wide range of biopsychosocial factors. There is consistent evidence that biogenetic explanations of mental disorders are related to more stigma |
