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Self and self-consciousness: Aristotelian ontology and Cartesian duality

Abstract:
The relationship between self-consciousness, Aristotelian ontology, and Cartesian duality is far closer than it has been thought to be. There is no valid inference either from considerations of Aristotle's hylomorphism or from the phenomenological distinction between body and living body, to the undermining of Cartesian dualism. Descartes' conception of the self as both a reasoning and willing being informs his conception of personhood; a person for Descartes is an unanalysable, integrated, self-conscious and autonomous human being. The claims that Descartes introspectively encounters the self and that the Cartesian extent of inner space is self-contained are profound errors, distortions through the lenses of modern theories.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1111/j.1467-9205.2008.01367.x

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
HUMS
Department:
Philosophy Faculty
Oxford college:
Worcester College
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Wiley-Blackwell
Journal:
Philosophical Investigations More from this journal
Volume:
32
Issue:
2
Pages:
134-162
Publication date:
2009-04-01
Edition:
Author's Original
DOI:
EISSN:
1467-9205
ISSN:
0190-0536


Language:
English
Subjects:
UUID:
uuid:1fc25c55-a481-4ad0-96a0-28a52f78c8b7
Local pid:
ora:2810
Deposit date:
2009-06-04

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