epäkartesianism

Epäkartesianism refers to a philosophical stance that critiques or rejects core tenets of Cartesianism, the philosophical system developed by René Descartes. At its heart, Cartesianism emphasizes the certainty of self-awareness ("I think, therefore I am") as a foundation for knowledge and posits a radical mind-body dualism where the mind and body are distinct substances. Epäkartesianism, by contrast, might question the privileged status of the thinking self, the possibility of achieving such foundational certainty, or the sharp separation between the mental and the physical.

Some epäkartesian thinkers might argue that the self is not a pre-existing, isolated entity but rather a construct shaped by social interactions, language, or biological processes. Others might challenge the very idea of a disembodied mind, suggesting that consciousness is inextricably linked to the physical body and its engagement with the world. Furthermore, epäkartesianism could encompass skepticism towards Descartes' method of systematic doubt, finding it to be either impractical or leading to unproductive philosophical dead ends. Instead, it might favor empirical observation, pragmatic approaches, or intersubjective validation as more reliable paths to understanding reality. The term itself is not a formal philosophical school but rather a descriptive label for a range of critical responses to Cartesian thought.