Lecture 2: Cartesian Dualism

Question 1

how have dualist arguments proceeded?

Answer 1

indirectly because we can’t introspect to know if we have a CM

Question 2

structure of the Cartesian Dualist argument

Answer 2

P1: If an entity can do X, it must have a CM
P2: TWMs can do X.
C: TWMs must have CM’s

Question 3

is the Cartesian argument valid?

Answer 3

• The Cartesian Dualist argument is a respectable kind of argument in science
• It is valid because its conclusion follows from its premises
• But, this doesn’t mean it is sound

Question 4

3 ways to challenge an argument

Answer 4

• Challenge P1
• Challenge P2
• A key term in the argument needs to be understood in different ways in each of the premises

Question 5

Swimburne’s version of Descartes’ argument

Answer 5

P1: If it is conceivable that a person survives the destruction of their body, then they must have a CM.
P2: It is conceivable that a person survives.
P3: People have CM’s.

Question 6

problem with Swimburne’s argument

Answer 6

• While both premises are true, a key term is being used in different senses in both premises, thus falsifying them
• It equivocates on the notion of what is logically possible/conceivable for a person
• P1 concerns what is possible for a person to do at a given time given the properties they have at that time
• P2 concerns which properties are essential to a person in general

Question 7

Descartes’ project in Meditations

Answer 7

Reconcile the claims of religion and The New Science, which seemed to challenge the claims of Christian religion

Question 8

what strategies does Descartes adopt?

Answer 8

methodological doubt & the solitaire strategy

Question 9

methdological doubt

Answer 9

If there is any reasonable basis for doubting whether something is true, it cannot be accepted as an axiom (foundation)

Question 10

the solitaire strategy

Answer 10

take all your existing beliefs and see if any of them withstand rational doubt. Once certain axioms have been isolated, go through your beliefs again and see if any other beliefs can now be accepted as indubitable given one’s axioms

Question 11

Descartes’ other formulation of the argument for CMs

Answer 11

P1: I can doubt whether anything physical exists.
P2: I cannot doubt whether I, as a thinking thing, exist.
C1: I, as a thinking thing, cannot be something physical.
C2: I, as a thinking thing, must be non-physical (a CM).

Question 12

issue with Descartes’ other formulation of the argument for CM’s

Answer 12

The claim “I can exist without my body” is a claim about what is conceivable for me as a thinking thing, not a claim about what is possible given my actual properties and capacities as a particular thinking thing

Question 13

Descartes’ argument from our linguistic abilities

Answer 13

• P1: If something has the kinds of linguistic and intellectual abilities that humans possess (L(h), I(h)), it must have a CM.
• P2: We have L(h) and I(h).
• C: We have CMs.

Question 14

L(h)

Answer 14

human linguistic capacities

Question 15

I (h)

Answer 15

human intellectual abilities

Question 16

Two responses to Descartes’ argument from our linguistic capacities

Answer 16

• Chomskian response
• Evolutionary response

Question 17

Chomskian response

Answer 17

there is indeed a radical difference between humans and other animals, regarding the possession of L(h), but it is a physical difference, due to the innate resources of the human brain.

Question 18

evolutionary response

Answer 18

Due to our shared evolutionary history, it is reasonable to assume that other animals do have thoughts like we do, but that, if they express those thoughts, we are unable to understand them.

Question 19

Descartes’ response to the evolutionary response

Answer 19

P1: If animals think, they must have immortal souls (CMs).
P2: If any animals have CMs, then surely all do. [Why?]
P3: It is very implausible that some animals (e.g. oysters) have CMs.
C1: So it is very implausible that any animals have CMs.
C2: So it is very implausible that any animals think.

Question 20

is Descartes’ response to the evolutionary response a good one?

Answer 20

no because it relies on intuition (especially P1)

Question 21

the problem for Cartesian dualism

Answer 21

The Dualist needs to account for the intimate connections that have been determined to exist between being in certain physical states and being in certain mental states

Question 22

interactionism

Answer 22

argued that the mind and body interact and influence each other

Question 23

what explanation does Descartes favour?

Answer 23

interactionism

Question 24

epiphenomenalism

Answer 24

mental states are merely caused by physical processes

Question 25

two clocks theory

Answer 25

Mental states are caused independently like clocks running in parallel to each other

Question 26

what theory entails that everything must be predetermined?

Answer 26

two clocks theory

Question 27

meaning of conceivable in P1 of Swimburne’s argument

Answer 27

P1 concerns what is possible for a person to do at a given time given the properties they have at that time

Question 28

meaning of conceivable in P2 of Swimburne’s argument

Answer 28

P2 concerns which properties are essential to a person in general