Descartes’ Descartes’ Interactionist Interactionist

DualismDualism

OverviewOverview

Descartes’ general projectDescartes’ general project Argument for dualismArgument for dualism Explanation of mind/body interactionExplanation of mind/body interaction

Descartes’ General Descartes’ General ProjectProject

To secure a firm, certain foundation To secure a firm, certain foundation for the sciencesfor the sciences

To prove the existence and goodness To prove the existence and goodness of Godof God

To show how the soul could be To show how the soul could be immortalimmortal

The Argument for The Argument for DualismDualism

I have a mind.I have a mind. My mind is not my body.My mind is not my body. I have a body.I have a body. Therefore, I have both a mind and a Therefore, I have both a mind and a

body, which are distinct from one body, which are distinct from one another.another.

Argument for Having a Argument for Having a MindMind

Descartes considers what it is Descartes considers what it is possible for him to doubt, and possible for him to doubt, and concludes that it is impossible for concludes that it is impossible for him to doubt that he thinks.him to doubt that he thinks.

He cannot doubt that he thinks He cannot doubt that he thinks because, in doubting, he is thinking. because, in doubting, he is thinking. It is not possible for him to think “I It is not possible for him to think “I am thinking” without being right.am thinking” without being right.

So, he concludes he is a “thinking So, he concludes he is a “thinking thing,” i.e., a mind.thing,” i.e., a mind.

Argument for the Existence Argument for the Existence of Bodiesof Bodies

It seems to me that there are bodies, It seems to me that there are bodies, and that I have one.and that I have one.

God is too good to allow me to be God is too good to allow me to be deceived about something so deceived about something so fundamental and important.fundamental and important.

Therefore, there are bodies, and I Therefore, there are bodies, and I have one.have one.

The Mind is not the BodyThe Mind is not the Body

1.1. If the essence of a kind of thing If the essence of a kind of thing xx is is yy, then there , then there could be no could be no xx without without yy. (premise). (premise)

2.2. The essence of body is to occupy space. (premise)The essence of body is to occupy space. (premise)3.3. For any kind of thing For any kind of thing xx, if I can imagine an , if I can imagine an xx that that

lacks some property, God can make an lacks some property, God can make an xx without without that property. (premise)that property. (premise)

4.4. I can imagine a mind that does not occupy space. I can imagine a mind that does not occupy space. (premise)(premise)

5.5. Therefore, God can make a mind that does not Therefore, God can make a mind that does not occupy space. (from 3, 4)occupy space. (from 3, 4)

6.6. Therefore, the essence of mind is not to occupy Therefore, the essence of mind is not to occupy space. (from 1, 5)space. (from 1, 5)

7.7. Therefore, the mind is not the body. (from 2, 6)Therefore, the mind is not the body. (from 2, 6)

InteractionInteraction

If the mind and body are distinct, we If the mind and body are distinct, we need an explanation of how mental need an explanation of how mental and physical events can cause one and physical events can cause one another.another.

Descartes tells a story about the Descartes tells a story about the mind and the body “communicating” mind and the body “communicating” through the pineal gland.through the pineal gland.

What problems with this story might What problems with this story might there be?there be?

ReviewReview

Descartes wants to prove dualism Descartes wants to prove dualism because it allows for the immortality because it allows for the immortality of the soul.of the soul.

The argument for dualism turns on a The argument for dualism turns on a perceived difference in the essences perceived difference in the essences of mind and body.of mind and body.

Descartes probably does not solve Descartes probably does not solve the problem of interaction.the problem of interaction.