PHIL 202 Lecture 7: HMP 2.07 (L) Descartes Sixth Meditations
4 May 2018
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History of Modern Philosophy
2.07.17 Lecture Notes – Descartes Sixth Meditations and Princess Elisabeth
- Proof for the existence of material objects – relies on the belief that God is not a
deceiver (because benevolence is a form of perfection) – pg 54 to 56
- Argument for the existence of material things
o The idea of a body (with content of that idea being shape, extension, etc.)
o The cause of the idea, the body, must actually contain the same amount of
reality
o These ideas cannot be from God because if it were, then it would be deception
- Pg 54: the mind-body distinction argument
o Substance – something that can exist on its own
▪ A property is not a substance
o 1. Everything which I clearly and distinctly understand could have been made by
God to correspond to my understanding.
o 2. When I clearly and distinctly understand two things are separate, then they
really are separate.
o 3. I know that I exist and that the essential attribute of mind is thought.
o 4. The only essential attribute of body is extension.
o Conclusion: The mind and body must be distinct because they have two different
essential attributes.
o Implies that mind is an immaterial substance
- Two potential goals that Descartes might be trying to achieve with the distinction
o 1) Mind and body are numerically distinct
▪ The mind is one thing
▪ And the body is one thing
▪ Together, there are two things
o 2) To show that they are different substances
▪ The kinds of substances they are, are different
▪ Soul is immaterial
▪ Body is physical
▪ A least two distinct kinds of substances
o The second goal seems to be more of his goal
▪ Lays the foundations for his physics
Princess Elizabeth:
- Problem of interaction – not clear how the mind and body can interact and produce any
physical results if the mind is immaterial
- Causes of movement according to the mechanical view of the world
o Impulsion
o The way of impulsion
o Shape of surface
- Descartes’s response:
- Two things about the human soul
o It’s a thinking thing
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Document Summary
2. 07. 17 lecture notes descartes sixth meditations and princess elisabeth. Proof for the existence of material objects relies on the belief that god is not a deceiver (because benevolence is a form of perfection) pg 54 to 56. Pg 54: the mind-body distinction argument: substance something that can exist on its own, a property is not a substance, 1. Everything which i clearly and distinctly understand could have been made by. God to correspond to my understanding: 2. When i clearly and distinctly understand two things are separate, then they really are separate: 3. I know that i exist and that the essential attribute of mind is thought: 4. The only essential attribute of body is extension: conclusion: the mind and body must be distinct because they have two different essential attributes. Problem of interaction not clear how the mind and body can interact and produce any physical results if the mind is immaterial.
