DESCARTES' ARGUMENT FOR MIND-BODY DUALISM

Abstract

BY THE INTRODUCTION OF CERTAIN REASONABLE PRINCIPLES IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHOW THAT DESCARTES'S ARGUMENT FOR HIS CONCLUSION THAT HE IS A NONMATERIAL ENTITY WHOSE ESSENCE IS TO BE CONSCIOUS IS MUCH LESS IMPLAUSIBLE THAN HIS CRITICS HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED. NONETHELESS HIS ARGUMENT IS UNSUCCESSFUL BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE CONCEPT OF PERSONAL IDENTITY WHICH IS PRESUPPOSED BY HIS PREMISE THAT HE CAN DOUBT THE EXISTENCE OF MATTER WITHOUT HAVING TO CONCEDE HIS OWN NONEXISTENCE.