Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on René Descartes Philosophy of Dualism. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 7 page paper which examines the distinction between the mind and body which provides the foundation for René Descartes’ dualism philosophy as discussed in his treatise, 'Meditations on the First Philosophy,' and in his correspondence with Princess Elizabeth of Bohemia. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
7 pages (~225 words per page)
File: TG15_TGdualsm.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
rather cryptic terms, the basis for the philosophy of Ren? Descartes. Following in the footsteps of Plato, Descartes embraced the notion of dualism, or the fact that the universe
is composed of binary elements which possess separate and distinctive characteristics. In Meditation VI of Meditations on the First Philosophy, Descartes argued that although the mind and the body
may be closely linked to form a single thing, the "eyes of the mind" (67), consisting of the mind and soul, are totally unrelated to the body. For
instance, the mind can see with the assistance of knowledge and logic, whereas the body is held virtually captive by the senses, which may form incorrect impressions. Descartes reasoned
that while it is easy for the mind to comprehend a chiliagon, which is a shape of 1,000 sides, it is impossible for the bodys senses to do so because
a shape composed of so many sides is bound to be confusing to imagine (Descartes "Meditations on the First Philosophy" 76). The mind is able to clarify "the difference
there is between imagination and pure intellection" that the body is unable to grasp, for it is easily deceived by images (Descartes "Meditations on the First Philosophy" 76). The
mind may receive sensory perceptions from the brain, but it is able to act freely, based on thought processes. While it may have all the outward appearances of being
unified with the body, the mind is not directly receiving impressions from any separate parts of the body. Furthermore, according to Descartes, there is a "great difference between mind and
body, in that body, from its very nature, is always divisible, and mind altogether indivisible" (76). He used as an example that while the body may suffer some form
...