Substance Dualism

Question 1

Define Substance Dualism

Answer 1

Substances are what possess properties. Properties cannot exist without a substance. These is an ENTITY - meaning it does not depend on something else for existence. It has ONTOLOGICAL INDEPENDENCE.

Question 2

Explain the Conceivability Argument

Answer 2

Descartes’ argument that the mind and body are separate as they have different properties:

• The properties of the Mind; Non-extended and Thinking
• The properties of the body/physical; Extended and Unthinking
• I have a CLEAR and DISTINCT idea of myself as a thinking&non-extended thing, yet physical still
• If I have this vivid idea, then it must be true in the eyes of God

And so, the mind is distinct from the body

Question 3

[Explain] Criticisms of the Conceivability Argument:

a) What is logically possible tells us nothing about reality

Answer 3

Descartes’ has only established that God has the ability to create the mind and body as separate, not that God actually did so. It is merely a logical possibility.

Response:
Descartes only needs to show that it is possible for mind and body to exist independently - to show the mind cannot be reduced to matter already suggests we can have mental states without bodies

Question 4

[Explain] Criticisms of the Conceivability Argument:

b) What is conceivable may not be possible

Answer 4

Although we can conceive of the mind and body as separate, this does not mean that it is possible. I can conceive of going back in time and killing my grandfather, this is not possible.

Response:
Descartes would argue that we have a CLEAR and DISTINCT idea of our mind and body, which is not the case with the above example.

Question 5

[Explain] Criticisms of the Conceivability Argument:

c) Mind without body is not conceivable

Answer 5

Descartes is merely mistaken, as you cannot have thoughts without a brain. Studies into brain-damage illustrate the fundamental dependence that thoughts on a functioning brain. Conceiving one without the other is illogical.

Question 6

Explain the Indivisibility Argument

Answer 6

Descartes’ argument that the body is divisible whereas the mind is not. We cannot conceive of ‘half a mind’, but halving a body is entirely possible.

Because of these fundamentally different characteristics, the mind and body must be separate substances.

Question 7

[Explain] Criticisms of the Indivisibility Argument:

c) Mind without body is not conceivable

Answer 7

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