Cartesian Interactionism Theory

Cartesian Interactionism paper

Cartesian Interactionism is the theory that we are composed of two kinds of things. Both the Religious argument and the Knowledge argument suggest and agree that we are made up of more than just a physical shell, that we have an immortal part of us. Yet, the Mind-Body problem and the Overdetermination argument argues that this is certainly not possible. The Cartesian Interactionism belief is a plausible view of the connection between mind and the body.

Cartesian Interactionism is the belief best supported by Rene Descartes, he states that the mind and body are two separate kinds of things, yet they have a casual influence on each other. For example, if you want to scratch your ear, your mind, tells your body to, so then you scratch your ear. Descartes was more traditional, saying that the mind is made up of an immaterial substance, some kind of immortal spirit, while the body is of material being. Descartes says in Meditations on First Philosophy, “Body is of its nature always divisible; mind is wholly indivisible” (Descartes). In many ways, Descartes beliefs are best supported by people of religious faith. The religious argument is the argument that we live on after our physical death, since our mind is immortal. With that being said, who wouldn’t want to believe that dualism is true? So, many people of religious faith, accept that there is an afterlife of some kind where we can have the same senses we do as of now and maintain their religious beliefs. So, many believe that dualism must be true, since our mind is of an immortal substance. The argument is pretty much impossible to prove wrong, making it easier to accept the beliefs of dualism. In addition, Frank Jackson’s thought experiment provides...

... middle of paper ...

...use. In other words, the mind is not physical, like Descartes believes, but has an influence on our bodies, then the mental events and other physical events will have more than one cause, making Descartes wrong.

The Cartesian interactionism belief proves that the mind and body are connected but with the ideas from other arguments, the choice has become doubtful. Yes, Overdetermination and the mind-body argue that Cartesian interactionism is wrong, yet, can you prove that they are right? If Cartesian dualism is wrong, then does that mean there is no afterlife? I believe what makes this so hard to choose a stance, is the fact that if you choose to be with Cartesian dualism, you are with them for the purpose that you believe that your body consists of a soul. So, I believe that the Cartesian dualism is a more reasonable view for a connection between mind and the body.