Single Idea 3643

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 6. Conceptual Dualism]

Full Idea

The concept of body includes nothing at all which belongs to the mind, and the concept of mind includes nothing at all which belongs to the body.

Gist of Idea

The concept of mind excludes body, and vice versa

Source

René Descartes (Reply to Fourth Objections [1641], 225)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Meditations on First Philosophy etc.', ed/tr. Cottingham,John [CUP 1986], p.111


A Reaction

A headache? Hunger? The mistake, I think, is to regard the mind as entirely conscious, thus creating a sharp boundary between two aspects of our lives. As shown by blindsight, I take many of my central mental operations to be pre- or non-conscious.