Freedom, passions and moral causation: Metaphysical and ethical complications of Descartes’s dualism (original) (raw)

This paper explores the complexities associated with Descartes's dualism, particularly the mind-body problem and the nature of causation that links them. It scrutinizes the concept of moral causation as a framework for understanding how the will can be influenced by both intellect and passions, while adhering to Descartes's principles regarding freedom and agency. The analysis highlights tensions in Descartes's account of freedom and proposes that moral causation serves as a necessary model to reconcile these tensions within the context of human decision-making.