Searle, Cartesian and property dualism: a déjà vu and two false allegations

Authors

  • Rodrigo Alfonso González Fernández Universidad de Chile

Abstract

Given some shared philosophical theses, in this article I firstly analyze how comparing Searle and Descartes creates a philosophical déjà vu effect. The mind that exists from a first-person viewpoint is the first thesis. How a primitive concept defines the mind is the second. The internalist conditions of satisfaction in intentionality is the third. The machine-body is the fourth. Secondly, I argue that, since both philosophers have incompatible worldviews –the deist metaphysics versus the “basic facts”, and a “basic” biological fact suggests that the mind can’t exist separately from the body (brain), Searle embraces neither Cartesian nor property dualism.

Keywords:

cartesian dualism, property dualism, Searle, primitive and subjective conscious mind, intentionality, basic facts

Author Biography

Rodrigo Alfonso González Fernández, Universidad de Chile

Universidad de Chile
rodgonza@uchile.cl

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