Meditation VI – Of the existence of material things, and of the Real distinction between the soul and the body of Man.

Meditation VI – Of the existence of material things, and of the Real distinction between the soul and the body of Man.

Imagination

• When I imagine something, it is present to my mind
• Imagination is distinct from though
  • I can think of a chiliagon but cannot imagine it
• Effort is required for imagination, but not for thought
• Imagination is not essential to me, I can exist without it
• Thoughts turn to your own ideas, yet imagination to your body
• Imagination seems to require the existence of a body – not for certain though.

Problems

• Again, the issue of conceptually to ontological. Just because I can think I exists without an imagination does not mean it is not essential ontologically to me

Reasons for thinking that material objects exists

• Ideas appeared against my will
• More vivid than ideas I imagine
• All ideas from the imagination come from the senses
• I sense pain and pleasure in my body, but not objects external to me
  •  
    • Dreaming
    • Phantom Limb Syndrome
    • Sense deception due to perspective
    • Deceived in my own nature
    • Unknown faculty that produces these images from within

Mind Body distinction

• The mind is divisible while as the body isn’t (can’t have ½ a thought)
• Argument from knowledge
  • I am certain I exist as a thinking thing, but unsure about my body
  • Therefore I am a…