self, death + afterlife Flashcards
What was Plato?
A dualist
What did Plato call the body in Phaedo (quote)?
“The body is a source of endless troubles”
What did Plato believe the Forms were?
Eternal, perfect, timeless + metaphysical
What did Aristotle believe?
The soul + body are separate
What does Aristotle say about the example of the eye?
Sight gives the eye its purpose
The soul gives the body its purpose
Why is Aristotle a monist?
The soul is expressed through the body, so how can they be separated? They’re locked together
What was Descartes?
Dualist
How did Descartes term the body?
Res extensa (extended thing)
How did Descartes term the soul/mind?
Res cognita (mental substance)
What do Descartes 3 proofs do?
To show the soul can exist wo the body
What are the 3 proof from Descartes?
- Argument from Doubt
- Argument from divisibility + non divisibility
- Argument from clear + distinct perception
What did Descartes say in his argument from doubt?
‘Cogito ergo sum’ - I think therefore I am
I can doubt I have a body but I can’t doubt that I have a mind, bc then how would I be able to doubt?
Why might Descartes argument from doubt not work?
The body makes the brain function, making the mind function
What is Descartes’ argument from divisibility + non divisibility?
- All bodies are extended in space + divisible
- Minds aren’t divisible
- Minds are therefore diff from body
What e.g. can we use for the argument from divisibility + non divisibility?
Cutting off a limb would remove 20% of the body, but 20% of the mind would remain
Why might Descartes’ argument from divisibility + non divisibility not work?
When the brain is damaged the mind can be damaged, so to an extend is ‘divided’
What is Descartes’ argument from clear + distinct perception?
If I can perceive myself as 2 diff kinds of things, its prob bc God created me as 2 diff kinds of things
God is perfect so he wouldn’t mislead me
Why might Descartes’ argument from clear + distinct perception not work?
He assumes God
Who devised the Ghost in the Machine analogy?
Gilbert Ryle
What does Gilbert Ryle say about the Ghost in the Machine?
The soul isn’t smth that can be pointed out
Just like how we can’t point out team spirit in a sports game
What did Ryle believe belief in a soul was? What is this?
A category error
A prob of lang when things are talked about as if they belong to 1 category when they acc belong to another
What does Hume say about soul substance? ( as argument against Descartes’ arg)
‘Soul substance’ solves nth bc claiming conscience comes from non-material is circular bc thought may have material explanation
What does Dawkins believe about the soul?
Hard materialist; there is o soul; we live on through memories + DNA