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Meditations on First Philosophy

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Philosophy Substance dualism

By René Descartes

Summary

Cogito ergo sum — the one indubitable fact is that I am a thinking thing. Mind (res cogitans) and body (res extensa) are distinct substances. The pineal gland mediates interaction. Establishes the modern mind-body problem.

Why It Matters

Descartes set the terms of the mind-body debate that philosophy has been grappling with for nearly 400 years. Every major position (materialism, idealism, panpsychism) is a response to his dualism.

Notes

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