With which of the following statements would René Descartes likely agree?

Question

1. The mind and body cannot be separated, therefore physical illness and mental illness cannot be separated.

2. The mind and body can be separated, therefore physical illness and mental illness can be treated differently.

3. Physical illness is more serious than mental illness and deserves prompt attention.

4. Mental illness is more serious than physical illness and deserves prompt attention.

Answer 1

René Descartes would likely agree with statement 2: "The mind and body can be separated, therefore physical illness and mental illness can be treated differently."

Descartes is well-known for his dualistic view of the mind and body, which posits that the mind (or soul) is a non-material entity distinct from the physical body. This perspective suggests that the two can exist independently and thus could be treated as separate entities.