靈魂存在嗎？從神學與哲學角度評二元論

Does the Soul Exist? The Evaluation of Dualism from Theological & Philosophical Perspectives

關啟文(Kai-man Kwan)

《建道學刊》 60期 (2023/07) Pp. 43-76

摘要

「靈魂是否存在？」是極富爭議性也對人觀極為重要的問題，基督教傳統相信二元論（dualism），但這面對當代世俗人觀和唯物論的嚴峻挑戰，甚至一些當代神學家（如格林）和基督徒哲學家（如梅菲）也提倡一種基督教的唯物論或物理主義（Christian materialism or physicalism）。本文對二元論和物理主義的當代辯論作出評論，我首先指出二元於從神學角度較有合理性，接着我從哲學角度維護二元論的初步合理性。我接着探討對二元論常見的批評，並作出回應。我的結論是：基督教應堅持一種整全的二元論。

並列摘要

"Does the soul exist?" This is a very important but also a very controversial question. The Chrisitan tradition tends to believe in dualism, but it is now facing the serious challenge of a secular view of man, materialism in particular. In fact some contemporary theologians (e.g., Joel Green) & Christian philosophers (e.g., Nancey Murphy) propose a kind of Christian materialism or physicalism. This paper focuses on the debate between dualists & Christian physicalists. I will first point out the plausibility of dualism from the theological perspective. Then I defend the prima facie credibility of dualism. I go on to explore the common objections to dualism, & then reply to them. I conclude that Christians should endorse a kind of holistic dualism.