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Kdxkyle asked in Arts & HumanitiesPhilosophy · 8 years ago

What was princess Elizabeth's argument against Cartesian dualism?

Help me. I have a philosophy final tommorow.

2 Answers

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    Lv 7
    8 years ago
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  • 8 years ago

    Causation & Physical closure

    (PC) Two things x and y can causally interact with one another only if x and y are physical things.

    Argument 1: The Argument from Top-down Causation

    (1) The mind is a non-extended—hence, non-physical—thing. [Assumption for RAA]

    Therefore,

    (2) The mind is causally impotent with respect to the body. [From 1,(PC)]

    (3) Top-down causation requires the mind to cause the body to φ. [Premise]

    Therefore,

    (4) There is no top-down causation. [From 2,3]

    (5) There is top-down causation. [Premise]

    Therefore,

    (6) It’s not the case that the mind is a non-extended—hence, non-physical—thing. [From 4,5]

    Argument 2: The Argument from Bottom-up Causation

    (1) The mind is a non-extended—hence, non-physical—thing. [Assumption for RAA]

    Therefore,

    (2) The body is causally impotent with respect to the mind. [From 1,(PC)]

    (3) Bottom-up causation requires the body to cause the mind to φ. [Premise]

    Therefore,

    (4) There is no bottom-up causation. [From 2,3]

    (5) There is bottom-up causation. [Premise]

    Therefore,

    (6) It’s not the case that the mind is a non-extended—hence, non-physical—thing. [From 4,5]

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