more from René Descartes

Single Idea 6518

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 7. Later Matter Theories / c. Matter as extension]

Full Idea

Notoriously, the Cartesian idea that matter is purely geometrical will not do, for it leaves no distinction between matter and empty volumes: a filler for these volumes is required.

Gist of Idea

Matter can't just be Descartes's geometry, because a filler of the spaces is needed

Source

comment on René Descartes (works [1643]) by Howard Robinson - Perception IX.3

Book Reference

Robinson,Howard: 'Perception' [Routledge 2001], p.219


A Reaction

Descartes thinks of matter as 'extension'. Descartes's error seems so obvious that it is a puzzle why he made it. He may have confused epistemology and ontology - all we can know of matter is its extension in space.