Single Idea 1399

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 2. Imagination]

Full Idea

This power of imagination which is in me, in so far as it differs from the power of conceiving, is in no way necessary to my nature or essence.

Gist of Idea

Imagination and sensation are non-essential to mind

Source

René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §6.73)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.151


A Reaction

This is my candidate for the biggest blunder ever made by a great philosopher. But it was thanks to his mistake that I began to realise how totally central imagination is to the very act of thinking. Thank you, René.