Substance. It’s a word we use all the time, but what does it really mean? And how did one of the most famous philosophers of all time, known for his contributions to modern Western philosophy, define it?
In this article, we’ll explore the concept of substance according to one particular philosopher’s perspective – a perspective that has influenced countless others in the centuries since he first wrote about it.
So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the world of Descartes and his ideas about substance.
What Is Substance According To Descartes
According to Descartes, substance is a thing that exists independently of anything else. It is self-subsisting and does not depend on anything else for its existence. This definition may seem straightforward, but it has caused confusion and debate among philosophers for centuries.
Descartes believed that there are two types of substance: created substance and uncreated substance. Uncreated substance is God, who exists independently of anything else. Created substance, on the other hand, is dependent on God for its existence.
Each created substance has a principle attribute that determines its true nature and essence. All other properties of the substance are related to this principle attribute and are known as modes. For example, a material body’s principle attribute is extension in length, breadth, and depth, while a mental substance’s principle attribute is thinking.
Descartes believed that there are two types of created substances: material bodies (res extensa) and mental substances (res cogitans). These two types of substances are separate from each other and independent of one another.
However, this independence creates a problem when it comes to the mind-body connection. Descartes believed that the mind and body were distinct substances, but they are connected in ways that seem to violate his definition of substance. For example, when we raise our hand, the idea to do so originates in our mind, but our body executes the action.
Introduction To Substance
Substance is a fundamental concept in Descartes’ philosophy. It refers to a thing that exists independently of anything else and is self-subsisting. Descartes believed that there are two types of substance: uncreated substance (God) and created substance. Created substance is dependent on God for its existence and has a principle attribute that determines its true nature and essence. The two types of created substances are material bodies (res extensa) and mental substances (res cogitans), which are separate from each other and independent of one another. However, the mind-body connection poses a problem for Descartes’ definition of substance, as the two distinct substances seem to be connected in ways that violate his definition. In this article, we will explore Descartes’ concept of substance in depth and examine its implications for his philosophy.
Descartes: A Brief Overview
René Descartes was a 17th-century philosopher who is known for his contributions to the field of metaphysics. According to Descartes, substance is a thing that exists independently of anything else and is self-subsisting. He believed that there are two types of substance: uncreated substance (God) and created substance.
Created substances have a principle attribute that determines their true nature and essence, with all other properties being related to this principle attribute and known as modes. Descartes identified two types of created substances: material bodies and mental substances. Material bodies have the principle attribute of extension in length, breadth, and depth, while mental substances have the principle attribute of thinking.
Although Descartes believed that the mind and body were distinct substances, their connection creates a problem with his definition of substance. Despite this, Descartes’ ideas on substance continue to be influential in philosophy today.
Descartes’ Definition Of Substance
Descartes’ definition of substance is a thing that exists independently of anything else. It is self-subsisting and does not depend on anything else for its existence. He believed that there are two types of substance: created substance and uncreated substance.
Uncreated substance is God, who exists independently of anything else. Created substance, on the other hand, is dependent on God for its existence. Each created substance has a principle attribute that determines its true nature and essence. All other properties of the substance are related to this principle attribute and are known as modes.
For Descartes, the mind and body were distinct substances, but they are connected in ways that seem to violate his definition of substance. This creates a problem when it comes to the mind-body connection. For example, when we raise our hand, the idea to do so originates in our mind, but our body executes the action. Despite this problem, Descartes maintained his Dualist views that the mind and body are distinct substances.
Substance Vs. Accidents
In addition to his distinction between created and uncreated substance, Descartes also made a distinction between substance and accidents. Substance, as mentioned earlier, is something that exists independently of anything else. Accidents, on the other hand, are properties that exist in a substance but do not define its essence.
An accident can be any property that a substance has contingently, without affecting its essence or identity. For example, the color of a car is an accident because it can be changed without changing the car’s identity as a car. The same can be said for the taste of food or the temperature of water.
Descartes believed that accidents do not have an independent existence of their own. They exist only in relation to a substance, and they cannot exist without a substance to support them. Therefore, accidents are dependent on substances for their existence.
The distinction between substance and accidents is important because it helps us understand the nature of reality. Substance is the foundation of everything that exists, and accidents are the properties that make substances unique and distinguishable from one another. By understanding the difference between substance and accidents, we can better understand the world around us and our place in it.
The Role Of Substance In Descartes’ Philosophy
In Descartes’ philosophy, substance plays a crucial role in understanding the nature of reality. By defining substance as something that exists independently, Descartes was able to distinguish between what is real and what is not. For Descartes, only substances are real, while properties and qualities are not.
Furthermore, by positing the existence of two types of substance, Descartes was able to reconcile his belief in God with his belief in the material world. God, as uncreated substance, is the only thing that exists independently of anything else. Created substances, on the other hand, are dependent on God for their existence.
Moreover, by defining each substance by its principle attribute and modes, Descartes was able to provide a framework for understanding the nature of different types of substances. This framework allowed him to categorize material bodies and mental substances as distinct types of created substances.
However, as mentioned earlier, the problem arises when it comes to the mind-body connection. Descartes’ definition of substance seems to suggest that the mind and body are completely separate from each other. Yet, our experiences seem to suggest otherwise.
Despite this problem, Descartes’ philosophy of substance has played a significant role in shaping modern philosophy. His emphasis on the importance of substance and its relationship to properties and qualities has influenced many philosophical discussions about ontology and epistemology.
Criticisms And Relevance Today
Despite Descartes’ influential contributions to the concept of substance, his ideas have faced criticism over the years. One of the main criticisms is that his dualistic view of substance creates an unbridgeable gap between the mental and physical realms, making it difficult to explain how they interact with each other.
Another criticism is that Descartes’ definition of substance as self-subsisting and independent may not be applicable to all things in the world. For example, some philosophers argue that properties such as being red or being sticky cannot be reduced to a substance, but rather are relational properties that depend on other things for their existence.
Furthermore, Descartes’ emphasis on the importance of God as an uncreated substance has been challenged by non-theistic philosophers who argue that the concept of substance can be understood without invoking a divine being.
Despite these criticisms, Descartes’ ideas on substance continue to be relevant today in contemporary philosophical debates. His emphasis on the importance of principle attributes and modes has influenced discussions on the nature of properties and their relation to substances. Additionally, his dualistic view of substance has led to ongoing discussions about the mind-body problem and how mental and physical events are related.
Overall, while Descartes’ ideas on substance may not be universally accepted, they have undoubtedly contributed to ongoing philosophical discussions and debates about the nature of reality.
