Cartesian Dualism Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts and arguments related to Cartesian dualism, including various objections and distinctions within dualist theories.

Cartesian Dualism

The view that the mind and body are two distinct substances that interact with each other.

Dualism

The view that the mind and body are fundamentally different kinds of things.

Substance Dualism

A type of dualism that asserts the mind is a non-physical substance distinct from physical substances.

Interactionism

The theory that mental events can cause physical events and vice versa.

Causal Closure

The principle that all physical events have sufficient physical explanations.

Epiphenomenalism

The view that mental events are caused by physical events but do not in turn cause any physical events.

The Conceivability Argument

The argument proposing that if one can conceive of the mind existing without the body, then they are distinct.

Princess Elizabeth’s Objection

The argument that dualist interaction is mysterious and the mind's causal influence on the body cannot be clearly understood.

Arnauld’s Objection

The claim that conceivability does not guarantee possibility, pointing out the fallibility of our perceptions of possibility.

Substance vs. Property Dualism

Substance dualism claims that mind and body are distinct substances, while property dualism maintains that they are properties of the same substance.