# In Defence of Dualism **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 24, 2019, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defence-of-dualism/832962 "2019-04-24T00:18:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 196
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2019, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defence-of-dualism/832962/196 "2019-04-26T20:33:16Z")
I’m going to take this opportunity to admit defeat. My conclusions from this thread are as follows: [ul][li]Dualism as I defended it, is known as epiphenomenalism.[/li][li]Epiphenomenalism is nonfalsifiable.[/li][li]Epiphenomenalism is of no use, because physicalism is more pragmatic:[/li][LIST][li]If physicalism can provide a system of morals, physicalism is falsifiable and possibly simpler, therefore physicalism is more pragmatic.[/li][li]If physicalism cannot provide a system of morals, neither can epiphenomenalism.[/li][LIST][li]In epiphenomenalism, the physical realm is identical to the physicalist’s definition of existance.[/li][li]Therefore, in order for a physical entity to act morally the physical entity must answer the other minds problem.[/li][li]If the other minds problem can be solved with physical observation, then physicalism can provide a system of morals.[/li][li]If the other minds problem cannot be solved with physical observation, then the other minds problem cannot be determined by the physical entity and neither physicalism nor epiphenomenalism can provide a system of morals.[/ul][/li][li]Either way, physicalism is falsifiable and possibly simpler, therefore more pragmatic.[/LIST][/LIST][/li] Not surprisingly, I have more questions coming out than going in. Those can wait for other threads. I believe the main topic has been answered with certainty and unless anyone disagrees with my conclusions, I will be bowing out of this thread. I would like to thank everyone for participating and fighting my ignorance on such a sensitive matter. ~Max --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defence-of-dualism/832962)._