Introduction
The argument whether or not the mind and the body are distinct substances raises a still on-going debate. In this essay, I proceed to give evidence as to why the Cartesian dualism theory is flawed. First, I am going to introduce a few of Descartes’ arguments and his position on the matter. Then, I will try to pick his most appealing argument and put it up against logical reasoning and other philosophers’ viewpoints. Finally, I am going to conclude how Rene Descartes proposes fallacious arguments which object his mind-body problem.
The Position
Descartes believes in what is called “substance dualism”. Substance dualism means trusting in the viewpoint that substances come in both physical and immaterial forms. He believed that the …show more content…
Since both substances have different essences, Descartes is led to believe that they must be distinct. Another argument given by Descartes is defined as “The Argument From Clear and Distinct Understanding” and is proposed in Meditation IV. This is where the 17th century philosopher uses God to prove his dualism theory. In short, the …show more content…
On the other hand, the counter-argument can be taken to the extreme in terms of George Berkeley’s subjective idealism theory. Berkeley was a monist, so he thought that there are no material objects whatsoever, only the minds that perceive it.
It does make sense, since Descartes does not provide sufficient evidence how an immaterial substance interacts with a material one (how minds interact with bodies).
Conceptualize the material world as existing within the mind of the immaterial being.
Consequently, he proposes some very fallacious arguments to begin with. For example, speaking in a common sense manner, would your mind not start to disfunction if you were not to eat for a considerable period of time? Would you, sitting in a lecture, not make it your main objective to put food in your system as soon as possible, even though it is important for you to listen what the lecturer has to say? This same approach can be linked back to Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” theory. It says that
In this essay, I have introduced a few
The argument whether or not the mind and the body are distinct substances raises a still on-going debate. In this essay, I proceed to give evidence as to why the Cartesian dualism theory is flawed. First, I am going to introduce a few of Descartes’ arguments and his position on the matter. Then, I will try to pick his most appealing argument and put it up against logical reasoning and other philosophers’ viewpoints. Finally, I am going to conclude how Rene Descartes proposes fallacious arguments which object his mind-body problem.
The Position
Descartes believes in what is called “substance dualism”. Substance dualism means trusting in the viewpoint that substances come in both physical and immaterial forms. He believed that the …show more content…
Since both substances have different essences, Descartes is led to believe that they must be distinct. Another argument given by Descartes is defined as “The Argument From Clear and Distinct Understanding” and is proposed in Meditation IV. This is where the 17th century philosopher uses God to prove his dualism theory. In short, the …show more content…
On the other hand, the counter-argument can be taken to the extreme in terms of George Berkeley’s subjective idealism theory. Berkeley was a monist, so he thought that there are no material objects whatsoever, only the minds that perceive it.
It does make sense, since Descartes does not provide sufficient evidence how an immaterial substance interacts with a material one (how minds interact with bodies).
Conceptualize the material world as existing within the mind of the immaterial being.
Consequently, he proposes some very fallacious arguments to begin with. For example, speaking in a common sense manner, would your mind not start to disfunction if you were not to eat for a considerable period of time? Would you, sitting in a lecture, not make it your main objective to put food in your system as soon as possible, even though it is important for you to listen what the lecturer has to say? This same approach can be linked back to Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” theory. It says that
In this essay, I have introduced a few