Descartes argues that the mind and the body are completely distinct substances, which is a form of dualism. How does he get to this conclusion? Does his argument work? Defend it or attack it.

Descartes's Dualism
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Descartes's Dualism
Dualism is a concept that was largely popularized by René Descartes. The concept asserts that the mind and body are two distinct entities in a human, but they work together intricately to ensure the optimal functioning of a human being (Lycan, 2003). Desecrates was the first philosopher to come up with the concept of dualism or mind-body dualism, but the concept continues to be controversial even today. Philosophers and scholars strive to understand the mind and body are separate entities or if they are one and the same. Exploring Descartes's dualism can help in developing a better understanding of the arguments. The paper presents an argument in support of dualism because the mind is non-extended while the body is extended, an individual has no doubt about his mental state, and the mind and the body do interact. A counter-argument in regards to the interaction of the mind and body is also analyzed.
Dualism asserts that the mind and body are distinct because the mind is non-extendable and the body is an extended thing. Desecrates argument rings true because the body is a material thing that has a shape, a definite location in space, and made of elementary particles (Rozemond, 2011). A person can touch, feel with their physical hands, and can physically connect with the material, extendable body. Rozemond and Rozemond (2009) argue that the mental state is made up of sensations, perceptions, and thoughts, which are non-extended. They cannot be equated in any shape or form as one would the body. This means the immaterial mind, which does not mean the brain is distinct from the material body. For example, if a person has a desire, one cannot define the shape or location of the said desire. It is a feeling that is immaterial and intangible, unlike the body. The non-extendable nature of the mind makes it distinct from the body.
The other argument supporting mind-body dualism is the fact that a person knows they have a mind and can think. Descartes's statement "I think, therefore I am" assists in explaining the concept of dualism. Rozemond and Rozemond (2009) support Descartes's assertion that having a clear and unique idea of oneself makes one a thinking being. In the same way, a person can have a clear and unique idea of the body as an extended and non-thinking thing. The statements make sense because everyone knows that they think with the mind and not the body. This makes the mind and the bod...