Body Swap! --------------------------------- Osten

John Locke is quite the philosopher and his thoughts in complete contradiction to Descartes'. In fact, it seems that Locke is easily able to find issues in Descartes logic and solve those issues through the use of his own logic. However, during this process, Locke uses a strange analogy of a soul swapping between two people, Castor and Pollux. He uses this analogy in order to disprove Descartes' argument that people are no more than a substance. Because if as a thinking thing your soul is connected to your body then as cells die and atoms slowly deteriorate then so would the soul. Also, no one is a constantly thinking thing because what would the purpose be of thinking in your sleep if you cannot remember what you thought? At the same time, I would like to challenge Lock in saying that what would the purpose be of the soul leaving the body to think for someone else? The soul gets no benefit from helping another body. Also, where is the soul of the body that my soul is thinking for? For me, I say that man is no different wheather awake or asleep except merely that his soul is focusing on things other than thinking.




P.s. I commented on Rachael Gregson and cade wood

Comments

Your post makes sense, but at the same time confuses me. I do agree with you though that humans are not thinking all the time because, like you said, what would be the purpose of that. I really enjoyed your post because it allowed me to think on a different level and perspective by which I did not see.
Rebecca Belew said…
I like that you compared Locke to Descartes and discussed their differences, then tied it up with questions to leave someone thinking. I believe your dissent from Locke's opinion is justified and brings about much reflection of the mind and soul.
Rachael Gregson said…
Hey, Osten, I enjoyed the read! I will say I agree with both you and Locke on this one. While I agree with Locke implying that our mind and soul, not our bodies, is what makes us who we are, I agree with you on the fact that his analogy wasn't exactly fitting with the situation. Why would a soul help another? What purpose would it truly have? He really should have used something else in my view.