Question

Who says- "The existence of bodies pre-supposes extension"?

• A. Bacon
• B. Descartes
• C. Leibniz
• D. Spinoza

Hint:

Descartes' philosophy suggests that material bodies must have extension, which is the property of occupying space, a key concept in his dualist system.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Context.
René Descartes, a key figure in modern philosophy, emphasized the concept of substance and extension. He famously said that "the existence of bodies presupposes extension," meaning that for something to exist as a physical body, it must have spatial extension (it occupies space). This idea is central to his materialist and dualist philosophy.
Step 2: Analyzing the Options.
- 1. Bacon: Francis Bacon was a philosopher and scientist known for his work on the scientific method, but he did not emphasize the concept of extension in the way Descartes did. - 2. Descartes: This is correct. Descartes emphasized that for something to be a material body, it must have extension. - 3. Leibniz: Leibniz had a different view on substance and extension, focusing more on monads and metaphysics. - 4. Spinoza: Spinoza was a pantheist who believed that everything is part of one substance but did not make the same point about extension as Descartes.
Step 3: Conclusion. The correct answer is 2. Descartes.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{The correct answer is 2. Descartes.}} \]