|
Decartes’ argument relating to the mind focuses on subjectivity. ... In A Discourse on Method Descartes observes a piece of wax in the same light as a number of persons seen from a window:
“ … I know the wax through the vision had by the eye, and not through an inspection on the part of the mind alone. ... Thus what I thought I had seen with my eyes, I actually grasped solely with the faculty of judgment, which is in my mind.” (Descartes, 68)
Descartes argues for the existence of the mind rather than the body. Every perception and every sense is located in the mind, and thus doubt is attached to the existence of everything, including the self. ...
Thus Descartes asserts that the mind can be known through an improved knowledge of the body. ... The mind is the only certainty. ... Descartes then views mind, intellect, understanding, reason, and soul in the same light as thinking. ...
Human behavior demonstrates the existence of mind in each human being. ... In this way, if one applies one’s own mind in understanding the observed and random behavior in other human beings, the fact that they are not machines, becomes clear. ... In order to narrow down the available conclusions, the mind should be applied to the behavior of human beings. ...
If the mind, rather than the imagination or the senses, can be used to understand wax, then surely the mind should take precendence in understanding the complexity of a fellow human being. ... So thus the idea of an inspection on the part of the mind alone takes the place of the other three, which were unreliable. ... The mind, having understood the essence of the wax in its varying forms, can come to terms with these forms, think about it, and understand it. ...
Thus, without stating that there is no value in the senses themselves, Descartes notes that understanding coming from these senses functions through the mind.
Approximate Word count = 1481
Approximate Pages = 5.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
