Filozofska istraživanja, Vol. 44 No. 3, 2024.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.21464/fi44306
Unresolved Questions of Descartes’ Doctrine of the Unity of Soul and Body
Marko Tokić
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Filozofski fakultet, Ivana Lučića 3, HR–10000 Zagreb
Sažetak
This paper explores how the questions posed by Princess Elizabeth in her correspondence with René Descartes stimulated his thoughts on the unity of soul and body. Elizabeth’s inquiries, which focused on the connection between physical health and mental well-being, prompted Descartes to consider two approaches: the causal interaction between the soul and the body, and the concept of the unity of soul and body, which does not strictly adhere to philosophical arguments. Descartes develops the concept of primitive notions, among which the notion of the union of soul and body is crucial for all human knowledge. The paper also highlights that, although Descartes separates the soul and body as two distinct substances, his reflections on their unity reveal certain ambiguities, especially regarding the role of natural light in the understanding of this unity. Additionally, the paper examines the importance of everyday experience and sensory perception in understanding the relationship between the soul and the body and questions the limitations of Descartes’ method in explaining this complex relationship.
Ključne riječi
soul; body; method; metaphysics; dualism; intuition; natural light; unity; Elizabeth of Bohemia
Hrčak ID:
328752
URI
Datum izdavanja:
5.12.2024.
Posjeta: 36 *