Rene Descartes: Mind & Body
Z106722
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Philosophy 322
Paper1
Rene Descartes: Account of Mind and Body
In examining Rene Descartes’ philosophy on the mind-body distinction, it is clear that his theory has several problems. In order to illustrate these problems it is necessary to reconstruct his theory. After this, one can then show the particular disadvantages that these problems create. Finally, one can imagine the possible responses Descartes might have developed to overcome these problems. In order to synopsize Rene Descartes’ view it is important to note that it is a ideology that is based in substance dualism. Dualism is the view that there are two kinds of substances, minds and bodies in his case, which constitute reality. To begin, Descartes arrives at his dualism by first establishing that at least one thing exists and that thing is a thinking thing, or mind. He accomplishes this through a form a skepticism known as Cartesian Doubt, which involved Descartes doubting everything he could until he discovered something he could not doubt. Moreover, the thing that he could not doubt was that he was thinking/doubting regardless of any other possible deception or influences. Consequently, in order to fully demonstrate how Descartes arrives at knowing the existence of minds his premises can be shown as followed: Cogito Argument[1] 1. I am thinking (derived from use of Cartesian doubt) 2. If I am thinking, then I exist. (Inference) 3. So, I exist (Modus Ponens)
Now, as an early objection to these premises there are concerns, like Bertrand Russell’s, about Descartes notion that ‘I am thinking’. Essentially, the concern alludes to the fact that it is not apparent that there is an ‘I’ that is “thinking”, it merely seems that some thoughts are occurring. Thus, it could be possible that there is only thought or thinking without there being an ‘I’ existing. Regardless, it should still be noted that Descartes demonstrates that at least
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Philosophy 322
Paper1
Rene Descartes: Account of Mind and Body
In examining Rene Descartes’ philosophy on the mind-body distinction, it is clear that his theory has several problems. In order to illustrate these problems it is necessary to reconstruct his theory. After this, one can then show the particular disadvantages that these problems create. Finally, one can imagine the possible responses Descartes might have developed to overcome these problems. In order to synopsize Rene Descartes’ view it is important to note that it is a ideology that is based in substance dualism. Dualism is the view that there are two kinds of substances, minds and bodies in his case, which constitute reality. To begin, Descartes arrives at his dualism by first establishing that at least one thing exists and that thing is a thinking thing, or mind. He accomplishes this through a form a skepticism known as Cartesian Doubt, which involved Descartes doubting everything he could until he discovered something he could not doubt. Moreover, the thing that he could not doubt was that he was thinking/doubting regardless of any other possible deception or influences. Consequently, in order to fully demonstrate how Descartes arrives at knowing the existence of minds his premises can be shown as followed: Cogito Argument[1] 1. I am thinking (derived from use of Cartesian doubt) 2. If I am thinking, then I exist. (Inference) 3. So, I exist (Modus Ponens)
Now, as an early objection to these premises there are concerns, like Bertrand Russell’s, about Descartes notion that ‘I am thinking’. Essentially, the concern alludes to the fact that it is not apparent that there is an ‘I’ that is “thinking”, it merely seems that some thoughts are occurring. Thus, it could be possible that there is only thought or thinking without there being an ‘I’ existing. Regardless, it should still be noted that Descartes demonstrates that at least