Thomistic and Emergent Versions of Dualism: a Critical Analysis

This paper is focused on two non-Cartesian dualistic positions – Thomistic and Emergent dualism. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the argumentation, coherence and resistance to criticism of Thomistic and Emergent dualism, and to sketch the philosophical and theological perspectives of these positions. The first chapter examines the Thomistic version of dualism through a number of contemporary authors (E. Stump, E. Feser, B. Leftow, J. Haldane, J. Ross, J. P. Morland). The arguments of the analytic Thomists are examined and objections to them are provided. A critique of Thomistic dualism are given and possible responses to them are considered. The second chapter discusses Emergent dualism as presented by W. Hasker and D. Zimmerman. The position and arguments of Emergent dualists are explicated and a critique is given. Strategies for responding to the criticism are considered. The third chapter analyses the strengths and weaknesses of Thomistic and Emergent dualism and outlines the philosophical and theological perspectives of these positions, including an examination of the relationship between dualism and Christian theism. The author concludes that both positions are coherent and can be defended, but leaves a slight advantage to Thomistic dualism.