Descartes

In Meditation Six Descartes argues that mind and body are independent. With the existence of God, Descartes explains that things can be understood, and if one thing can be understood without another, that would define the two things as separate (51). When applied to the argument that mind is not dependent on Body, Descartes states,

"And although perhaps (or rather, as I shall soon say, assuredly) I have a body that is very closely joined to me, nevertheless, because on the one hand I have a clear and distinct idea of myself, insofar as I am merely a thinking thing and not an extended thing, and

. . .

The argument that mind and body are completely one would be considered false by Descartes because the mere fact that the two, mind and body, can be conceived separately without the existence of the other defines them as independent entities. This is proven by the different definitions of body and mind given by Descartes; body is divisible and mind is indivisible (56). Therefore, body and mind are dependent on each other, and cannot exist without the presence of the other.

The argument can again be supported by Schizophrenia because although co-existing as one body, the thoughts and actions of each personality is clearly and distinctly understood as different. The argument that mind and body constitute as completely one is false. For example, if someone thinks to run, immediately their body begins the motions to run. Both are distinct from one another by having different thoughts, yet both co-exist in one body and are separate because one personality can be independently conceived without the other. It is false because the two, mind and body, are conceivably separable.

Schizophrenics, people having two separate and distinct identities, in either state are seemingly identical. A person would be seemingly the same looking person, but their thoughts and actions would be different, therefore they would not be considered the same person at all times, but separate people at different times sharing one body.

The fact that mind and body are so closely joined would bring one to argue that mind and body are one, both dependent on each other. Descartes also defines the body being divisible, meaning it can be conceivably taken apart and still justifiably be body (56). Therefore, Descartes argument that mind is distinct from body is justified. Conversely, if someone were to feel bodily pain due to running too hard, the bodily pain tells the mind to slow down.

Common topics in this essay:
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Approximate Word count = 808
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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