Phil 30I W25 Lecture 3.1

Page 1: Introduction to Early Modern Philosophy

• Course: Early Modern Philosophy

• Instructor: Matic Kastelec

• Term: Winter 2025

Page 2: Lecture 3.1 - Sixth Meditation

Key Objectives:

• Reconstruct, analyze, and evaluate the following arguments in the Sixth Meditation:

  • A. Proof of the existence of the external world

  • B. ‘Real distinction’ argument (mind-body dualism)

  • C. ‘Union’ argument (the mind and body are united in a human being)

  • D. Proof that we are not always dreaming

• Begin assessing Descartes's overall project in the Meditations.

Page 3: The Fifth Meditation

• Topic: The essence of material things and the existence of God considered a second time.

Page 4: Main Claims of the Fifth Meditation

• Essence of Material Things:

  • The essence is extension (length, breadth, depth; the capacity to take up space).

• Existence of God:

  • Descartes presents a version of the “ontological” proof.

• Note: Descartes invented the “Cartesian coordinate system.”

Page 5: The Sixth Meditation

• Focus: Existence of material things and the real distinction between mind and body.

Page 6: Main Arguments of the Sixth Meditation

• Existence of External World:

  • Material objects exist.

• Real Distinction:

  • Mind-body dualism.

• Union:

  • Mind and body are united in a human being.

• I Am Not Always Dreaming:

  • Criteria for distinguishing dreams from waking experience.

Page 7: Existence of the External World

Argument Structure:

1. I have sensations of bodies, which are not under my control.

2. I conclude that these sensations are caused by external objects.

3. Opposing view claims that if sensations aren't caused by external objects, God is a deceiver.

4. God is not a deceiver.

5. Therefore, external objects exist as the causes of these sensations.

Page 8: Real Distinction - Mind-Body Dualism

Argument Structure:

1. I clearly and distinctly understand mind and body as separate entities.

2. The essence of the mind is thinking; the essence of the body is extension.

3. Anything I understand clearly can be created by God exactly as understood.

4. God can separate mind and body if they can be understood as distinct.

5. Therefore, mind and body are really distinct entities.

Page 9: Mind-Body Union

Argument Structure:

• Proof relies on sensations: hunger, thirst, and pain.

• Analysis of Sensations:

  • Sensations indicate bodily states (require food/drink).

  • Sensations felt by the mind as personal experiences.

• Conclusion: Sensations belong to the union of mind and body.

Page 10: Two Models of Mind-Body Relation

Models:

• Sailor-Ship Model:

  • Sailor witnesses damage but is indirectly affected.

• Union Model:

  • Body injury directly affects mind, felt as personal pain.

• Quote: "I am not merely present in my body as a sailor is in a ship, but I am closely joined and intermingled with it, forming a unit."

Page 11: How I Know That I Am Not Always Dreaming

Argument Structure:

1. Use of senses, memory, and intellect to verify experiences.

2. Waking experience is coherent, continuous, and connected.

3. Dismissal of the idea of dreaming upon thorough verification.

4. God is not a deceiver, substantiating my clarity about wakefulness.

5. Coherence and continuity serve as criteria for distinguishing waking life from dreams.

Page 12: Summary of Key Points

• The external material world exists, indicating God is not a deceiver.

• Mind and body are distinct substances that can exist separately.

• Mind and body are united in a human being, as illustrated by sensations.

• Coherence and continuity of experiences differentiate waking life from dreams.