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Single Idea 14042

[filed under theme 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 5. Causal Argument ]

Full Idea

Those who say that the soul is incorporeal are speaking to no point; for if it were of that character, it could neither act nor be acted upon at all.

Gist of Idea

The soul cannot be incorporeal, because then it could neither act nor be acted upon

Source

Epicurus (Letter to Herodotus [c.293 BCE], 67)

Book Ref

Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.14

A Reaction

This just is the causal argument, which is espoused by Papineau and other modern physicalists. Personally I am inclined to agree with Papineau, that it is so simple and conclusive that it is hardly worth discussing further. Dualism needs a miracle.

Related Idea

Idea 14043 The void cannot interact, but just gives the possibility of motion [Epicurus]

The 25 ideas from 'Letter to Herodotus'

14028 Nothing comes to be from what doesn't exist [Epicurus]
14027 If we are to use words in enquiry, we need their main, unambiguous and uncontested meanings [Epicurus]
14029 If disappearing things went to nothingness, nothing could return, and it would all be gone by now [Epicurus]
14030 The totality is complete, so there is no room for it to change, and nothing extraneous to change it [Epicurus]
14031 Space must exist, since movement is obvious, and there must be somewhere to move in [Epicurus]
14032 Totality has no edge; an edge implies a contrast beyond the edge, and there can't be one [Epicurus]
14033 Bodies are unlimited as well as void, since the two necessarily go together [Epicurus]
14034 There exists an infinity of each shape of atom, but the number of shapes is beyond our knowledge [Epicurus]
14035 Atoms just have shape, size and weight; colour results from their arrangement [Epicurus]
14036 There are endless cosmoi, some like and some unlike this one [Epicurus]
6010 Illusions are not false perceptions, as we accurately perceive the pattern of atoms [Epicurus, by Modrak]
14037 Atoms only have shape, weight and size, and the properties which accompany shape [Epicurus]
14038 There cannot be unlimited division, because it would reduce things to non-existence [Epicurus]
14039 Above and below us will never appear to be the same, because it is inconceivable [Epicurus]
14040 Observation and applied thought are always true [Epicurus]
14041 The soul is fine parts distributed through the body, resembling hot breath [Epicurus]
14042 The soul cannot be incorporeal, because then it could neither act nor be acted upon [Epicurus]
14043 The void cannot interact, but just gives the possibility of motion [Epicurus]
14044 The perceived accidental properties of bodies cannot be conceived of as independent natures [Epicurus]
14045 Accidental properties give a body its nature, but are not themselves bodies or parts of bodies [Epicurus]
14046 A 'body' is a conception of an aggregate, with properties defined by application conditions [Epicurus]
14047 Bodies have impermanent properties, and permanent ones which define its conceived nature [Epicurus]
14048 Astronomical movements are blessed, but they don't need the help of the gods [Epicurus]
14049 We aim to know the natures which are observed in natural phenomena [Epicurus]
14050 We aim to dissolve our fears, by understanding their causes [Epicurus]