DUALISM, MATERIALISM, IDEALISM, AND PSI - A REPLY

Most of this response to Palmer (1993) revolves around the issues of dualism, materialism, and idealism, in contrast with Whitehead's panexperientialism. Related to dualism are the issues of whether Descartes can meaningfully be considered an exponent of psi and how psychokinesis would be understood if interpreters of psi would renounce dualism (explicit or implicit) and adopt panexperientialism. Related to materialism are the questions as to its chief problem, whether Sperry's version is promising, and the possibility of a ''unity of science.'' The terms ''idealism'' and the ''new mentalism'' are said to be misleading as a characterization of Whitehead's philosophy. Why the definition of consciousness as a subjective form helps avoid both idealism and dualism is explained. A remaining issue is why ''action at a distance'' is threatening.