Metaphysics (Sep 2012)
The Significance of the Mind/Body Problem in the Correspondences between Descartes and Elizabeth
Abstract
Although the correspondences between Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia (1618–80) and René Descartes cover a vast range of philosophical topics, their discussions were mainly focused on what has become one of the most central issues in contemporary philosophy—the mind-body problem. Elizabeth had identified a fundamental anomaly in the interaction between mind and body, and she asked her question as follows: “How can the human soul, which is only a thinking substance, determine the movements of the animal spirits in order to perform a voluntary action? …. You exclude extension completely from your concept of the soul and, it seems to me, it is incompatible with being an immaterial thing.” In this article, we first provide an overview of the philosophical issues engaged in these correspondences, along with some essential background for understanding such issues. Finally, some attempts will be done to deal with Elizabeth's own philosophical position and her influence on Descartes' system of thought.
