Did Ryle criticize Descartes after all?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25206/2542-0488-2025-10-4-113-119Keywords:
Ryle, Descartes, Cartesian dualism, Concept of Mind, interactionism, intellectualism, categorymistakeAbstract
Many researchers, including contemporary ones, disagree on the question of whether Gilbert Ryle actually criticized the works of René Descartes in his book The Concept of Mind (1949). The article reconstructs and analyzes Ryle’s anti-Cartesian positions. It identifies the set of propositions what Ryle counted as the ones of Descartes’ so-called ‘intellectualist legend’. The article provides a comparative analysis of the main propositions of the ‘intellectualist legend’ and the authentic propositions of Descartes’ philosophy. It is demonstrated that Ryle’s criticism was primarily aimed not at Descartes’ writings themselves, and only some of the arguments formulated by Ryle are relevant to the critique of the French philosopher. The article also presents possible responses to these critical arguments based on Descartes’ writings.
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