Single Idea 2299

[catalogued under 16. Persons / D. Continuity of the Self / 7. Self and Thinking]

Full Idea

I can understand myself without the faculties of imagining and sensing, but not vice versa; I cannot understand them without me - a substance endowed with understanding.

Gist of Idea

I can exist without imagination and sensing, but they can't exist without me

Source

René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §6.78)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.157


A Reaction

I think this is a fundamental and important error on Descartes' part. The idea that understanding is possible without imagination (and even sensation) is wrong, and it leads to the misleading concept of 'pure' reason.