How Successful Are Descartes Arguments for the Real...

How successful are Descartes arguments for the real distinction of mind from body? Upon which problem would you put the most weight? Descartes says the mind is distinct from the body, or anything physical for that matter. He says, a thinking substance is nonphysical or spiritual in nature (mind), and an extended substance is physical, but not capable of consciousness or thought (body). However, this very claim is also his biggest problem as his mind Ââ€" body interaction has many critics and to some, can seem invalid. This is mainly due to the challenge by those who ask how mind and body can interact if they are two different substances altogether. Over Descartes period of teaching, he has conceived many arguments to support his view of†¦show more content†¦Descartes continues with his argument of simplicity. When I think about my mindÂâ€"or, in other words, about myself insofar as I am just a thinking thingÂâ€"I cant distinguish any parts; I understand myself to be a single, unified thing. Although my whole mind seems united to my whole body, I know that cutting off a foot, arm, or other limb would not take anything away from my mind. Descartes argues that the mind is indivisible because it cannot be broken down and does not have extension. The body, as an object that can move and take up space can be divided in to many things whereas the mind is one complete substance that does not have extension and is non Ââ€"spatial. Since the mind and body are different substances with different properties, they must be able to exist independently as they must not be the same thing. Leibniz Law supports the argument and shows that the mind and body are not the same because they do not have all of the same properties. We cannot conceive of half a soul, as we can in the case of any body, however small. The mind has lots of feelings and idea, but they are all intertwined into one indivisible mind. However, if this is said, then cannot we say the same for the body, that the body and mind, different as they are, are also closely intertwined to one another? With Descartes saying that if his leg was to be cut off, nothing wouldShow MoreRelatedDescartes Arguments for Substance Dualism2259 Words   |  10 PagesDoes Descartes provide a convincing argument for the claim that mind and matter are distinct substances Descartes’ Argument For Dualism In his Meditations Rene Descartes aimed to reconstruct the whole of science by trying to prove the distinction between mind and matter. He gives an argument from doubt, and another from conceivability. 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