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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 10 page paper which
examines the criticisms of Cartesian dualism in the 20th century. Sources used and cited
were provided by the student in fax form. As such there is no bibliography included.
Page Count:
10 pages (~225 words per page)
File: JR7_RAcartfx.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
many of the theories involve heavy criticism of the subject, as many argue that the mental and material are not necessarily as separate as some may believe. In the following
paper we examine some of the criticism that has arisen in the 20th century concerning Cartesian dualism. Mind, Body and Behaviour In this particular criticism, written apparently by
Ludwig Wittgenstein, the author begins by stating that "The thought that a human being is a composite creature consisting of body and soul (or mind, or spirit) is an ancient
one. It is bound up with our fear of death, with the craving for an afterlife in a happier world, with our grief at the death of our loved ones
and our longing to be reunited with them" (p. NA). This provides the foundation for the belief that mind and soul are essentially separate in many ways, for the
body can die, but the spirit is believed to remain. This thought grew and became more defined as mankind evolved and as such "Cartesian dualism provided the agenda for philosophers
for the next three centuries" that followed the Middle Ages (p. NA). This agenda, however, provided a great deal of fuel for argument with each philosopher seemingly having their own
unique opinion about the theory. The author then indicates that "the Cartesian myth is insidious. It can assume many guises, and even those who think of themselves as liberated
from Cartesianism adopt crucial elements of the tale" (p. NA). For example, the author notes that, "A striking feature of contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and neurophysiologists is that, while rejecting mind/body
dualism they accept the fundamental conceptual structure of the Cartesian picture. While rejecting the idea of an immaterial substance, they are prone to identify the mind with the brain (sometimes
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