1 The Rationalists: Descartes The Material World Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana Jack Nichols, Living in the material world

1

The Rationalists: DescartesThe Rationalists: Descartes

The Material WorldThe Material World

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Jack Nichols, Living in the material world

2

IntroductionIntroduction

What we have recovered: rational truths within the mind


What remains to do: existence of the external bodies

The central pillar of the argumentation: God is not a deceiver

3

OutlineOutline


1. Introduction: What obstacles do we have to pass to recover the material world?

1. The existence of the corporeal substance as separated from the substance of thought

1. The truth within the teaching of nature

4

IntroductionIntroductionThe obstaclesThe obstacles


All we have for now: the truth of our clear and distinct ideas

Why did we reject the existence of the material world?

- Senses and feelings can be deceitful

- Even if I feel like they originate in something external, it may be the case that they result from unconscious processes within me

- Dream argument and Evil Genius

5

OutlineOutline





6

The existence of the Corporeal SubstanceThe existence of the Corporeal SubstanceOverviewOverview


Structure of the argument:

1 Imagination: the good probability that my body exists

2 The essence of the corporeal essence is radically different from the essence of thought

3 The corporeal substance exists.

7

The existence of the Corporeal SubstanceThe existence of the Corporeal SubstanceStep 1 : ImaginationStep 1 : Imagination


1 Same starting point as in Med. 5: images of bodies – clear and distinct idea of the corporeal essence (extension in time)

2 The fact that I can imagine suggests that I am not only a thinking thing, but that I also have a body:

- Imagination is different from pure intellection

- Inference to the best explanation: body

8

The existence of the Corporeal SubstanceThe existence of the Corporeal SubstanceStep 2: distinction body / mindStep 2: distinction body / mind


1 Premises:

a. I have a C&D idea of the essence of thought

b. I have a C&D idea of the essence of bodies

2 Nerve of the argument: It is sufficient to be able to clearly and distinctively conceive one thing apart from another to conclude that they are essentially different

3 Conclusion:

- the essence of bodies is radically different from the essence of thought

- if bodies (including mine) exist, then they exist as separated from the substance of thought

9

The existence of the Corporeal SubstanceThe existence of the Corporeal SubstanceStep 3 : The corporeal substanceStep 3 : The corporeal substance


Argument’s structure:

1 Imagination, Sensations and Feelings indicate the existence of some external substance – passive

2 Such external substance must be the corporeal substance

Nerve of the argument: God is not a deceiver !

- I naturally believe that imagination, sensations and feelings originate in external bodies

- There is nothing hidden in me

- SO: I can trust my natural belief

10

The existence of the Corporeal SubstanceThe existence of the Corporeal SubstanceConclusionConclusion


Descartes’ main point:

- Because the corporeal essence is radically different from the substance of thought

- And because God is no deceiver

- We are now justified accept the argument that our passive feelings and sensations come from something different from us and that this thing is the corporeal substance

11

OutlineOutline





12

The Teachings of Nature The Teachings of Nature The Truth within Sensations and Feelings The Truth within Sensations and Feelings


Same argument again: Because God is no deceiver, there is some truth in my sensations and feelings about external bodies

First truth: my whole self consists in an union of the body and the mind

Second truth: sensations and feelings teach me what is harmful/ useful within the effect external bodies on myself

13

The Teachings of NatureThe Teachings of NatureWhen are the senses deceitful?When are the senses deceitful?


Sure fire mistake: Whenever I interpret my sensations as corresponding to properties of external bodies:

Examples: color, heat etc.

Not God’s fault, but mine for misinterpreting the significance of the teachings of nature!

Genuine possibility of deceit?

Example: the case of dropsy

Descartes’ answer: strings of causes

14

Conclusion on the Material WorldConclusion on the Material World


What we have recovered: The existence of a corporeal substance, separated from the

substance of thought The existence of the union between body and mind which

constitutes my whole self The (most often) truthfulness of the teachings of nature

concerning how external bodies relate to mine

What remains unknown The properties of external bodies No perfect method for discerning the truth within

sensations and feelings

15

Conclusion on the Material WorldConclusion on the Material World


Conclusion on Conclusion on DescartesDescartes

EPISTEMOLOGY METAPHYSICS

Method of doubt I exist

Clear and Distinct Ideas Rational Truths exist in my mind

Rational knowledge superior to knowledge from the senses

Truthful God

Theory of error Theory of free will / autonomy

Foundationalism Constituents of reality: 1.Thought2.Corporeal substance 3.Union

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 16

Documents

1 The Rationalists: Descartes The Material World Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana Jack Nichols, Living in the material world