Children around the ages of 4 or 5 often begin to develop dualist beliefs, primarily the idea that the mind and body are distinct entities. This tendency can be explained through a combination of cognitive development and cultural influences.
1. Cognitive Development and Theory of Mind: At around this age, children are in a phase of cognitive development where they start to understand that other people have separate thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. Known as the development of “theory of mind,” this capability allows them to distinguish between mental and physical states. For instance, they can comprehend that a person can “think” or “pretend” without it physically manifesting. This separation in their minds may lead them to intuitively view mental experiences as separate from the body.
2. Intuitive Dualism: Young children naturally adopt dualistic thinking due to their limited understanding of how physical bodies produce thoughts, emotions, and consciousness. They recognize that physical objects follow certain rules (e.g., a ball falls when dropped), while people and animals act based on desires and intentions. This distinction encourages a belief in separate “essences”—a tangible one for the body and an intangible one for the mind or soul.
3. Cultural and Social Reinforcement: Many cultures reinforce dualistic beliefs, whether through religious, spiritual, or social narratives. Even in non-religious settings, children are often exposed to language that implies a distinction between body and mind, like references to the soul, spirit, or the idea of “going to heaven.” Such cultural messages can solidify a young child’s sense of mind-body separation.
4. Innate and Evolutionary Tendencies: Some researchers propose that an innate dualism may be advantageous from an evolutionary standpoint. For example, perceiving the self as separate from the physical world might have helped early humans make sense of their experiences, predict behavior, and form complex social bonds.
Through this combination of cognitive milestones, intuitive thinking, cultural reinforcement, and possibly even evolutionary wiring, young children come to view the mind and body as distinct entities, laying the groundwork for dualist beliefs.
