The premise of physicalist theories is that everything in the universe consists of physical substances. This stands in contrast to dualism, which posits that there are two distinct entities: the physical and the mental, including concepts like souls or ghosts. Physicalists acknowledge the mind as a physical entity, yet have varied opinions on the precise nature of that physical aspect. The different theories, such as behaviorism, type identities, functionalism, and eliminative materialism, each provide unique perspectives on this matter.
