The concept of body and the problem of demarcation in new European metaphysics: from Descartes to Kant

Abstract

The origin of science and the demarcation between science and metaphysics are the main features of early modern period. This demarcation faces a particular problem with conceptualisation of body, which can be considered both as just physical body and as closely bound up with spirit. Different ways of explaining the interaction between mind and body form the complex tradition, which significantly influenced Kant’s precritical writings. Limitation of the crucial distinction between these two substances to the empirical sphere and the view on soul and body as homogeneous phenomena are the main peculiarities of Kant's position.

Keywords

• matter
• physical body (Körper)
• human body (Leib)
• machine
• soul
• dualism
• anthropology
• cartesianism
• occasionalism
• influxus physicus theory
• doctrine of preestablished harmony
• wolffianism
• anti-wolffianism
• Kant’s pre-critical period