The mark of envy: metaphysics and embryology according to Descartes].

This paper explores the interaction between medicine and metaphysics in modern natural philosophy and especially in Descartes' philosophy. I argue that Descartes hypothetical account of birthmarks in connection with his embryology provides an argumentative proof of the metaphysical necessity of a substantial union between mind and body, which however does not threaten his doctrine of the real distinction between these two substances. It would appear that his argument relies on a temporal conception of alethic modalities and provides a new answer to Henricus Regius who in 1641 claimed that, for Descartes, the human being is an ensper accidens.

Citation

Lynda Gaudemard. The mark of envy: metaphysics and embryology according to Descartes]. Early science and medicine. 2012;17(3):309-38

Mesh Tags

PMID: 23035401

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