PHILOSOPHY OF SPACE and TIME: Descartes and Dualism

Write an essay about DESCARTES’ DUALISM THEORY: Matter and Mind

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT FOR THIS ESSAY YOU:

– Present the Philosophical Context of the time

– Explain the emergence of Descartes’ Dualism theory

– Present the idea of Rationalism and Empiricism

– Present the theory and explain Matter and Mind

Then discuss and DESCRIBE the Descartes CONCEPTIONS BASED ON THE AUTHORS.

Then present the RIVAL CONCEPTIONS using readings.

Then think about WHAT IT MEANS FOR PHILOSOPHY OF SPACE AND TIME

Then present CRITICAL REACTIONS to the theory…

Crucial that you present the views of contemporary philosophers (readings below)

You BASICALLY NEED TO PRESENT DESCARTES THEORY, GO IN DEPTH INTO THE CONTEXT OF ITS EMERGENCE, WHAT THE THEORY IS, HOW WE UNDERSTAND IT, WHAT THE CRITICISMS ARE, WHAT IT MEANS FOR PHILOSOPHY OF SPACE AND TIME…

YOU MUST USE THE READINGS ATTACHED IN THE DOCUMENT AND YOU MUST QUOTE FROM THESE READINGS AND FROM OTHER SOURCEs….

It is really important that you present what great thinkers (authors and philosophers) have to say about this theory by quoting and discussing views of intellectuals.

THESE ARE THE READINGS:

Books about Descartes that NEED TO BE REFERRED TO OR QUOTED.

Robinson, Dave and Chris Garratt. Introducing Descartes. N.Y., 1998

Baker, Gordon and Katherine J. Morris. Descartes’ Dualism. N.Y., 2002

Hatfield, Gary. Routledge Philosophy Guidbook to Descartes and the Meditations. N.Y.,1996

Ray, Christopher. Time, Space and Philosophy. N.Y.,1991

Gorham, Geoffrey. Descartes on Time and Duration.- Early Science and Medecine, 2002,19 (28-54).

Gottingham, Jhon. Meditations on First Philosophy. Cambridge, 1996.

Slowik, Edward. Descartes, Spacetime and Relational Motion.- Philosophy of Science, 1999, 66, 117-139.

Garber, Daniel. Descartes’ Metaphysical Physics. Chicago, 1992.

Long, Douglas C. Descartes: Critical and Interpretive Essays. A.P.A.Western Division Meetings. 17,1. 1983, pp.99-104.

Wagner, Steven J. Descartes Arguments for Mind-Body Distinctness. – Philosophy and Phenomenological Research. Vol.43,4. Jun 1983, pp.499-517.

Gaukroger, Stephen. Descartes’ System of Natural Philosophy. Cambridge, 2002.

It is crucial that the writer quote authors and philosophers, discuss and present the descartes dualism theory, and that he present criticism to the theory etc….this is an INTELLECTUAL PIECE