Joseph Cinqué

Central to the field of cognitive science lies the mind/body problem, which questions “the relationship between mental properties and physical properties,” (Robinson). The dualist argues that the mind and body are two separate entities and that the mind only exists within the body, specifically the brain. Thus, aligned with this belief, many dualists also hold rationalist views, or that one may gain knowledge via a priori experience. The rationalist believes that “there are significant ways…

René Descartes was a modern philosopher and was dualist. He wrote The Mediations of First Philosophy in 1641. In his arguments he expresses his believes of two substances, which are Res Cogitans and Res Extensa. He will also, give you arguments about how he concluded that god existed, and will use god in his argument to show how it is possible for corporeal things to exist, as well as introduce you the mind and body problem. Descartes will at one-point doubt everything, even his existence, which…

Rene Descartes’ statement, “I at least know for certain that nothing is certain” perfectly illustrates the multiple problems that arise when all rational beings realize that their senses can deceive them and that the very foundation of their knowledge is based on the assumption that everything they encounter is real. Thankfully, being aware of the problem is the first step in solving it. The juxtaposition of Rene Descartes and William Shakespeare reveals a difference of opinion when they set…

Churchland is a materialist who believes all can be explained by physical property of matter. She says we cannot believe in god, heaven, hell, or even the soul because all we are certain of is matter. Churchland entirely denies the existence of the soul and the mind. She says all the “mind” is, is electrical connections functioning in various ways. Our neurons, impulses, etc. make us who we are. The “mind” is really just the brain – a physical thing. In this paper I will talk about Churchland’s…

Philosophy sheds light on many themes, one of the issues philosophy contends is the understanding how mind and body are related. Rene Descartes, a father of philosophical ideology devised “The Argument from Introspection” to attempt to answer such question. The argument from introspection explains that the mind and body are two entirely separate states and therefore cannot be identical to one another. Descartes’ rationale behind the argument is that the body is separable because it can be…

Philosophy 001 Project 3: Descartes 1) Cartesian dualism refers to the philosophical view proposed by the French mathematician and philosopher Rene Descartes that describes and explains the relationship of the mind and body. According to this philosophical view, the Mind and the Body are two completely separate and different substances capable of interacting with one another. Descartes asserted that “[that is, [the] mind, by which I am what I am], is entirely and truly distinct from [the] body,…

who have set precedence for him. If Thebes were placed into a real-world view, Creon’s followers would be sheep: ironic sheep, but sheep. In the course of the world, Creon is reflective of so many arrogant and jealous leaders such as Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini and so many more. His central conflict is not within his laws, but within his power and the followers that will carry his laws to fruition. After sentencing Antigone, Creon says, “disaster is linked with disaster… Woe…

René Descartes’ dream argument supports his overarching argument for hyperbolic doubt, described in his Meditations on First Philosophy. The dream argument questions one’s perceptions, conscious and unconscious, and how one determines what is true and what is false. He does this by comparing experiences while awake or dreaming. Descartes continues on that since one also cannot tell the difference between what is a dream and what is real life, our perceptions could overall be false, and “assumes…

Are mind and body essentially different? [Descartes, Conway, Cavendish] In 17th century philosophy, the mind-body issue surfaced many circulating viewpoints as to what the real relationship between the mind and the physical world is. This continuing dilemma brings up questions that have ongoing answers regarding if the mind and body are two substances or not, and how exactly the mind and body are related to each other. I am choosing to take a monist standpoint in this paper, expressing that…

The search for the truth of the world has been a highly debatable topic for many philosophers. The concept of ‘substance’ have differed throughout the years, as many philosophers have established contrasting perspectives on it. G.W Leibniz and John Locke were two prominent philosophers whose discussions offered a very unique lens to the the question of what is substance. This essay will focus on philosophers, Leibniz and Locke, and their contrasting perspectives on the concept of substance.…