Assess and explain Strawson’s critique of Descartes argument Peter Strawson is an English philosopher who sets out in his essay “Self, Mind and body” to argue against Descarte’s distinction between mind and body in favour of a unitary perspective on human beings which will be further discussed. Many philosophers have attempted to solve one of the major questions we can ask about ourselves revolving around the question of “what am I”. Rene Descartes is one the main philosophers who focuses his works
Descartes(1641/1985) suggests that there are “corporeal things” and the ‘intellectual act” (p.55), he asserts that “[corporeal things] in general terms are comprised within the subject-matter of mathematics” (Descartes, 1641/1985, p. 55), those corporeal things according to Descartes have a physical substance and are extended; whereas, by contrast, he maintains that “the mind is not an extended thing” (Descartes, 1641/1985, p. 54), hence
successful and that the objection brought by Strawson can be refuted. Russell’s theory of definite descriptions contains a significant insight in that Russell’s view that what appears to be referential propositions are in fact quantificational is correct. Russell's theory of definite descriptions Russell propounds two theses, one about names and the other about definite descriptions. This paper deals with Russell's analysis of definite descriptions, 'the F', and his theory of their proper logical analysis
after the accident as another identical earth was found. The movie discuss determinism and free will as it explores the idea of two different worlds. The movie starts when Rhoda looks up at Earth two driving her car intoxicated. The movie relates to P. F. Strawson’s idea of reactive attitudes because it is a theory of responsibility and most of the movie talks about her responsibility. Reactive attitudes regard people as responsible agents to be ready to treat them in certain ways. He states “in general
concept of justice, and as Strawson points out, incorporated in the concept of justice is the psychological needs of society and especially of the victim. Thus, the purpose of punishment should not only include Justice but must be Justice. References Mabbott (1956) Punishment - reprinted from Mind and Philosophy (April 1956) publisher not known - lecture handout. Mill.J.S. (1868) Cited in Singer - Applied Ethics (1986) Oxford University press Strawson P.F (1982) Freedom and Resentment
original medieval sense, as one possibility that aims to preserve objectivity while positing nothing more than concrete individuals in the world. First, I will present paradigmatic statements of realism and conventionalism as developed by Russell and Strawson. Then, I will present the nominalist alternative as developed by William of Ockham. Realism and conventionalism are commonly taken to be the primary contenders in the debate over universals. Does abstract language refer to abstract things in the
P.F. Strawson and Gary Watson’s “Responsibility and the Limits of Evil” Gary Watson shares the true story of the serial killer Robert Harris in his essay “Responsibility and the Limits of Evil”. This inclusive narrative shares of a man who was once a very sensible young boy who found himself on the south tier of Death Row in San Quentin Prison. Through this story, the reader learns first about Robert Harris’s crime and then about his upbringing. Both of which are stories that one could consider
might obviate the paradoxes caused by T-F representation, and be educationally fruitful. William and Martha Kneale and Gilbert Ryle assist us: "In the hypothetical case in which p, it is inferable, on the basis that p and at least in the given context, that q." "Inferable" is explained. This paraphrase is the foundation of the logic of hypothetical inferability ("HI logic").