For each of the following two essay questions, please provide approximately two pages, double spaced, of argument. Each answer is to be two pages in length, and be worth up to 100 points, and in your own words. Strictly speaking there is no right or wrong answer here, but rather it is about how you make your case. The exam must be submitted in Word format (either doc or docx).
1. Descartes affirms a metaphysical dulaism. That is he makes an ontological distinction between minds and bodies, with the former characterized as being non-spatial, and non-temporal, while the latter is characterized as being, in essence, three dimensional. He arrives at this conclusion by affirming methodical doubt such that he can conclude that he exists as a thinking thing. Please offer your assessment of his arguments for his position, and offer a critique of the view.
2. Leibniz offers an image of the universe which affirms that no two entities are identical (i.e the Identity of Indiscernables), which are structured via his notion of Pre-established harmony, which includes the relationships between minds and bodies, as well as all individual “monads.” What might one make of such a notion? Please offer a critique and analysis of this unique and elegant view.