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Single Idea 5686

[from 'Meditations' by René Descartes, in 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 2. Propositional Attitudes ]

Full Idea

Other thoughts are different from ideas, as when I will, or fear, or affirm, or deny, there is always some thing that I grasp as the subject of my thought, yet I embrace in my thought something more than the likeness of that thing.

Gist of Idea

In some thoughts I grasp a subject, but also I will or fear or affirm or deny it

Source

René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §3.37)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Philosophical Essays and Correspondence', ed/tr. Ariew,Roger [Hackett 2000], p.114


A Reaction

Note that the class of mental events we call 'propositional attitudes' had already been identified by Descartes. His categories of thinking in Med. Three might be one of his most important contributions, because that is what matters in the mind.