Descartes' Proof of God and Dualism

Descartes' Proof of God and the Nature of Reality

The Existence of God and the Refutation of Doubt

Descartes' proof of God's existence is central to his philosophical system. He argues that there exists an infinite and benevolent God, distinct from the thinking self. This divine being guarantees that clear and distinct ideas, products of proper reasoning, correspond to external realities. This counters the 'evil genius' hypothesis, assuring us that our properly formed thoughts are not systematically deceptive.

Three Fundamental Substances: God, Thought, and Extension

Descartes posits three fundamental substances: God, thought (mind), and extension (matter). God is the ultimate cause of all other realities. Thought and extension are distinct in nature: the mental is not extended, and the physical is not thinking. These substances are governed by different laws. Extended things obey the laws of physics (mechanism), while the mental realm is characterized by consciousness, a property outside the purview of scientific analysis.

Dualism: The Mind-Body Problem

Descartes' philosophy leads to a dualistic view of human beings. We are composed of two distinct substances: the body (extended) and the self or consciousness (thought). This self, not subject to physical determinism, is the foundation of human freedom and morality, setting us apart from animals, which Descartes viewed as complex machines lacking consciousness and free will.

Mechanism and Determinism

Descartes' mechanistic view explains physical phenomena in terms of matter, motion, and strict laws. This leads to a deterministic perspective, where events necessarily follow preceding conditions. However, the realm of thought, characterized by consciousness and freedom, escapes this deterministic framework.