Question

Many biological psychologists hold to the position of biological reductionism (or determinism). They explain complex phenomenon in terms of simpler ones. Biological reductionism claims that the mind is entirely explained by physical properties of the brain. Give two arguments in favor of reductionism and two arguments against reductionism.

Answer 1

Biological Reductionism means -It was an attempt to explain a complex set phenomena in to less complex constituents.It was the way that biological psychologists try to reduce behaviour to a physical level and try to explian it in terms of neurons,neuro transmitters,hormones,brains structures.

FAVOURING REDUCTIONISM-

1)The cause of schizophrenia has been linked to excessive activity by Dopamine.Anti-psychotic drugs can be used to reduce dopamine activity in the brain and symptoms of the disorder.As a result,the drug itself may be able to eradicate schizphrenia by controlling the levels of dopamine.

2)The complexity of human brain is a result of complex and interacting physical process.If we do reaserch and understand the underlying chemical reactions,they we can explain intelligence,emotion,pleasure,tension,etc.

For example if we heard any sad news which results in tension due to adrenaline gush.

If we done any pleasurable thing our brain feels refreshed due to release of Dopamine.

3)Neurological dementia is the result of reduced neuron number,activity in older people.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST BIOLOGICAL REDUCTIONISM-

1)The Resultant mass of a multicomponent protein assembly is simply equal to the sum of the masses of each individual component.However,the way in which we taste the saltiness of sodium chloride is not reducible to the properties of sodium and chlorine gas.

2)Experience of pain can alter human behaviour,but the low level chemical reactions in the neurons that are involved in the perception of pain are not the cause of the altered behaviour,as pain itself has a casual efficacy.

3)Some kids have high I.Q levels compared to other ,but their neurological activity is not propotional to intelligence.