Philosophical Works · Chapter
XXXII explained
Descartes distinguishes two fundamental modes of thinking: perception (understanding) and volition (will).
What happens
Descartes distinguishes two fundamental modes of thinking: perception (understanding) and volition (will). All mental acts—sensing, imagining, conceiving—are forms of perception, while desiring, avoiding, affirming, denying, and doubting are forms of willing.
Themes in this chapter
Mind-Body Dualism
By categorizing all modes of thinking into perception and will, Descartes reinforces the primacy of mental operations over bodily sensations.
Reason and Method
The clear classification of mental acts exemplifies Descartes' methodical approach to understanding the mind's operations.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
Presents the classification of thought into perception and will.
- René Descartes
Author of the distinction between understanding and will.
Key passages
“For all the modes of thinking of which we are conscious may be referred to two general classes, the one of which is the perception or operation of the understanding, and the other the volition or operation of the will.”
Every conscious thought belongs to one of two categories: perception (an act of understanding) or volition (an act of will).
Descartes establishes a fundamental dichotomy in the nature of thought.
“Thus, to perceive by the senses ( sentire ), to imagine, and to conceive things purely intelligible, are only different modes of perceiving ( percipiendi ); but to desire, to be averse from, to affirm, to deny, to doubt, are different modes of willing.”
Sensing, imagining, and understanding are all forms of perception; while desiring, avoiding, affirming, denying, and doubting are all forms of willing.
Concrete examples clarify the two classes of mental activity.