Cartesian substance-dualism as a response to the mind-body problem.

Topic and Instructions:
The topic of the paper is Cartesian substance-dualism as a response to the mind-body problem. In this paper, you are asked to do two things:
(i) describe the main features of Cartesian substance-dualism
(ii) explain Princess Elisabeth’s objection to substance-dualism
Please do not address Descartes’s response, as this would be too much for such a small assignment.
Base your exposition on W.D. Hart’s paper “An argument for Dualism (especially pages 117-118) and on Jaegwon Kim’s chapter “Mind as Immaterial Substance,” especially pages 46-50.
Describe the author’s position in your own words. Do not quote the source texts (W.D. Hart and Jaegwn Kim). Ideally, do not use outside sources.
This assignment will give you the opportunity to test your comprehension of these issues. Your focus should be on accuracy and clarity of expression. You must follow the outline, given below for Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 2. For this short essay, you do not need to write an introductory paragraph.
Paragraph 1 (60%):

Describe the main features of Cartesian substance-dualism.

Do not explicate the argument in favor of this position. Just describe its most important features. Make sure to address the following questions:

· What is a substance? (answer in W.D. Hart)

·

How does the mind differ from the body? (answer in W.D. Hart)

· How, according to Descartes, are body and mind related?

(answer in Jaegwon Kim)

Paragraph 2 (40%):

Explain Princess Elisabeth’s objection to Cartesian substance-dualism. Make sure to address how Elisabeth understands causation. (answer in Jaegwon Kim)

Evaluation

Your paper will be graded according to the following criteria:
Accuracy: Are the views and positions in question described accurately?

Clarity: Are you using clear language? Are you using precise terms? Did you manage to avoid ambiguities?

Organization: Is your assignment well-organized? Do you understand how the main claims interact logically?
Writing policies. Have you followed the citation and quotation policy?
Citations

Please cite all readings (or external sources) that you use in the following way: at the end of the series of sentences in which you make reference to that reading write (Author Date, Page) e.g. “(Huxley 1874, p.13)”. Any sources that are cited in the text must be listed in the bibliography. Any readable and complete bibliography style is acceptable.

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