more from René Descartes

Single Idea 6540

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / A. Mind-Body Dualism / 8. Dualism of Mind Critique]

Full Idea

Even Descartes may have conceded that the mental supervenes on the neuroanatomical.

Clarification

'Supervenes' means they inseparable

Gist of Idea

Even Descartes may concede that mental supervenes on neuroanatomical

Source

comment on René Descartes (Meditations [1641], 6) by William Lycan - Consciousness 5.2

Book Reference

Lycan,William G.: 'Consciousness' [MIT 1995], p.51


A Reaction

This is true (early in Meditation Six) despite his later suggestion of the pineal gland as the linking point. It proves nothing, but I have heard John Cottingham suggest that Descartes might well be a materialist if he came back today.