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The Dualism Of Mind And Body! What You Need To Know
Dualism, like all philosophical ideas, is a tool — one that can help us navigate the complexities of human existence.
Have you ever wondered what makes you — well, you? Is it your body, your thoughts, your emotions, or something deeper, like a soul?
This question has puzzled philosophers for centuries, and one of the most famous attempts to answer it came from René Descartes. A French philosopher from the 17th century, Descartes is best known for his famous dictum, “Cogito, ergo sum,” meaning “I think, therefore I am.” He made groundbreaking contributions to philosophy and psychology, but one of his most influential ideas was dualism — the theory that the mind and body are separate entities.
Before talking about dualism, let me give you a brief introduction to Descartes and his intellectual background.
Who Was René Descartes?
Descartes was a mathematician, scientist, and philosopher who laid the foundation for modern Western philosophy. Born in 1596, he was a figure who revolutionized thinking in the fields of mathematics and philosophy. His quest for certainty led him to doubt everything, including his existence, before concluding that the act of doubting proved his existence.
