Geraud de Cordemoy’s Arguments on the Conformity between Descartes' Philosophy and the Holy Bible

Abstract

Cordemoy is one of the leading representatives of French occasionalism of the 17th century. His contribution to the debate on this subject lies in the main work of the scholar, which is Six Discourses on the Distinction Between the Body and the Soul. As a follower and continuator of Descartes' philosophy, the author in his philosophical work often uses the solutions found in the ones of his predecessor’s. He owes him a debt of gratitude and perhaps that is why he writes a brief but interesting Letter on the conformity between his philosophy and the Holy Bible. The present article enters on this issue. It also widely explains the position of Descartes himself in this matter. And then eventually presents the main arguments of Cordemoy. These include the convergence between Descartes' philosophy and Epiphany, especially the Book of Genesis. Therewithal, it is argued that Cartesian dualism is a philosophical variation of the dual nature of Jesus, which is supposed to make modern philosophy consistent with Faith and doing a better service than the one of Aristotelian school that allows false concepts of the soul in animals and plants. The article is accompanied by the translation of the Letter mentioned above.