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Single Idea 5013
[filed under theme 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / d. Substance defined
]
Full Idea
By substance we can understand nothing else than a thing which so exists that it needs no other thing in order to exist.
Gist of Idea
A substance needs nothing else in order to exist
Source
René Descartes (Principles of Philosophy [1646], I.51)
Book Ref
Descartes,René: 'Philosophical Essays and Correspondence', ed/tr. Ariew,Roger [Hackett 2000], p.244
A Reaction
Properties, of course, are the things which have dependent existence. Can properties be reduced to substances (e.g. by adopting a materialist theory of mind)? Note that Descartes does not think that substances depend on God for existence.
The
23 ideas
from 'Principles of Philosophy'
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3658
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Total doubt can't include your existence while doubting
[Descartes]
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5004
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We can know basic Principles without further knowledge, but not the other way round
[Descartes]
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3656
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The greatest good for a state is true philosophers
[Descartes]
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12730
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We will not try to understand natural or divine ends, or final causes
[Descartes]
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16601
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Matter is not hard, heavy or coloured, but merely extended in space
[Descartes]
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15987
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Physics only needs geometry or abstract mathematics, which can explain and demonstrate everything
[Descartes]
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5005
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I think, therefore I am, because for a thinking thing to not exist is a contradiction
[Descartes]
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5006
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'Thought' is all our conscious awareness, including feeling as well as understanding
[Descartes]
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5007
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Most errors of judgement result from an inaccurate perception of the facts
[Descartes]
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5008
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The greatest perfection of man is to act by free will, and thus merit praise or blame
[Descartes]
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5009
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We do not praise the acts of an efficient automaton, as their acts are necessary
[Descartes]
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5010
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Our free will is so self-evident to us that it must be a basic innate idea
[Descartes]
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5011
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There are two ultimate classes of existence: thinking substance and extended substance
[Descartes]
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5012
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'Nothing comes from nothing' is an eternal truth found within the mind
[Descartes]
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5013
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A substance needs nothing else in order to exist
[Descartes]
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16630
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If we perceive an attribute, we infer the existence of some substance
[Descartes]
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16633
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A substance has one principal property which is its nature and essence
[Descartes]
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5014
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We can understand thinking occuring without imagination or sensation
[Descartes]
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5016
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Five universals: genus, species, difference, property, accident
[Descartes]
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5015
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A universal is a single idea applied to individual things that are similar to one another
[Descartes]
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5018
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Even if tightly united, mind and body are different, as God could separate them
[Descartes]
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5017
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In thinking we shut ourselves off from other substances, showing our identity and separateness
[Descartes]
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16744
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All powers can be explained by obvious features like size, shape and motion of matter
[Descartes]
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