Tag: Descartes

Descartes: Closeted Functionalist?

August 3, 2015

What modern day philosophy of mind would Descartes adopt if he came here to the present, and could see the new scientific data and philosophical work in the areas of the mind ­body problem and mental causation?In the Meditations and his correspondence with Princess Elizabeth, Descartes paints a very detailed picture of his strict brand of dualism. But … More Descartes: Closeted Functionalist?

Innateness: Born With It?

January 18, 2015

Presentation Link Since ancient times philosophers have argued over what amount and type of knowledge we are born with. In the last century, experimental data has given us insight into what can be considered innate, as opposed to learned. Most of the more recent experiments have confirmed what rationalists have said for centuries. These philosophers … More Innateness: Born With It?