Question

Aristotle argued that the mind is like a lump of clay, and that different mental states, rather than having an existence of their own, are simply different shapes that the clay can take on. Aristotle was arguing for:

a) Dualism
b) Materialism
c) Idealism
d) Functionalism

Answer 1

Aristotle's view that the mind is analogous to a lump of clay aligns with Materialism, indicating that mental states do not have an independent existence separate from the physical.

Step-by-step explanation:

Aristotle argued that the mind is like a lump of clay, and that different mental states are like different shapes that the clay can take on. Based on this analogy, Aristotle's view aligns with Materialism, because he suggests that mental phenomena are inseparable from the physical brain, similar to shapes not existing independently of the clay. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is b) Materialism.