Mind

Descartes’s dualism was a critical development in the philosophy of minds. The goal of this paper will be examining this theory, its strengths, and its weaknesses. First, we will summarize Descartes’s classical dualism, which will be the version of dualism referred to throughout the rest of the paper. Second, we will examine several arguments in favor of classical dualism. The third segment of this essay will discuss some of the challenges and counter arguments to dualism. Then, concluding with…

objects are what are perceivable to the mind. The nature of how these objects are perceived and if, what the mind perceives exists is the foundation of both Descartes and Berkeley’s arguments. Are sensible objects distinctly external matter that are perceived by the mind, or are they created within the distinct mind and perceived directly. The arguments are related to Descartes and Berkeley’s different stances on rationalism and empiricism, or if our minds identify knowledge of sensible objects…

Meditations of First Philosophy, explains and theorizes the idea of the mind and body as two distinct substances. The theory states that the mind is not merely a physical brain as another organ of the body, but rather the non-materialistic mind and material body are two different entities. The body, having elements of extension have a reality with spatial relevance as it entails form, texture, location and weight. In comparison, the mind has non-spatial components that consist of humans’ realm…

The argument in Descartes’ Sixth Meditation for the real distinction between the mind and the body ultimately secures his dualist position. Despite his argument appearing to make some mildly questionable leaps and seemingly ignore one potentially devastating point altogether, his position is clear and strong. I will begin by reconstructing Descartes’ argument, cover the grievances listed above, and then hope to argue that, despite these objections, Descartes’ position remains a sound…

The mechanism that allows the book to equate a mind is the theory of functionalism. As described by the theory, a functionally specified entity can preserve its functional status across various changes. In this essay, the book and Einstein’s brain are made up of different systems, but they still have the same functional purpose of replicating and giving off equal outputs in response to various inputs. Thus, the book mentioned in the essay has a mind as it is an elaborate system that exhibits…

The Uncontrollable Forces of Desire Desire is a consuming force that causes the body to act without consulting the mind. Sappho’s fragments in, If Not, Winter, creates experiences in which; eros produces a gap between the subject and the desired object. Eros is composed of the powerful, unconstrained forces of desire, attraction, and love. It has complete dominance over a person who is longing after another. The use of syntax, simile, and overt symbolism within fragment 105A; allows Sappho’s…

The Locale of a Grieving Mind “Men are all condemned to die with various reprieves” (16). In most novels, the setting serves as an environment that influences the plot of the novel. However, in Victor Hugo’s, The Last Day of a Condemned Man, the setting of the novel is a means of symbolically representing an abstract idea. Hugo utilizes the setting of the novel as an extended metaphor to represent the man’s condemned mind through the stages of grief. The start of the novel displays a confused,…

George Berkeley, A treatise concerning the principles of human knowledge In this essay I will be discussing a few sections from George Berkeley, A treatise concerning the Principle of human knowledge. I will explain the arguments being set out by Berkeley within the text, then I will proceed to make an objection of my own, which I will respond to on behalf of Berkeley. George Berkeley starts off introducing us to his theory “to be is to be perceived”. Within the first few paragraphs of the…

The parts about objects only being what we perceive seem valid and true. All we really know is what we sense, things that come through the filter of our minds. With that in mind, it is not a huge lead to say that our minds are causing all the things we perceive. Everything in our personal worlds really are just interpretations from our minds and they are shaped by our ideas. However, as I have mentioned before, I am not religious, so the second part of his argument is where I stop believing…

language are a brief moment of thought that is declared out for the world to hear, but to be neglected. In his article, Sullivan encourages people to instead of using words, to try and use our imagination and creativity as a form of thinking in the mind. The use of imagination and creativity is a unique technique, and this technique is constantly being used. He seems to express an issue that he has with words and that words produce difficulty for people to think creatively. In the article, there…