Final answer:
Descartes is not considered a voluntarist; his philosophical stance, especially his belief in dualism, places greater emphasis on intellect over will in the determination of self and existence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Was Descartes a Voluntarist?
The question at hand is whether René Descartes, the French philosopher, was a voluntarist. Descartes is most famously known for his philosophical contribution to dualism and the saying “I think, therefore I am.” This maxim emphasizes the importance of thought and intellect in establishing existence, suggesting that Descartes valued the intellect highly. However, voluntarism is a metaphysical or psychological system that attributes a more significant role to the will over the intellect. Given Descartes’ philosophy, it would seem he is not a voluntarist since his arguments prioritize the intellect's role in identifying our essence and existence.
Central to Cartesian philosophy is dualism, outlined in his work “Meditations on First Philosophy.” Descartes contrasts the mind (res cogitans) as a thinking, non-extended thing and the body (res extensa) as an extended, non-thinking thing. He aligns personal identity with the thinking mind, somewhat de-emphasizing the will's role, thereby distancing himself from voluntarist philosophy. Moreover, Descartes’ theories became a cornerstone for later discussions on free will, determinism, and the essence of human existence. Malebranche, a follower of Descartes, took a different route with occasionalism, where God is the only true cause, thus diverging even further from voluntarist thought by attributing causation to divine intervention rather than human will.
In conclusion, although Descartes explored various metaphysical concepts, his philosophical stance does not align with voluntarism's central tenet. His elevation of thought over will in the determination of self and existence holds a more intellectualist rather than voluntarist approach.