Descartes' thesis about the separation of mind and body is usually quite severely criticized in the modern cognitive science in general and philosophy of mind in particular. This thesis serves as an important starting point for the development of the conception of embodied and enacted cognition, which has gained extraordinary popularity to date. This article substantiates that the solution to the mind - body problem proposed by Descartes is not at all so unequivocal and categorical, his position is much more subtle and sophisticated than it often seems to us. The article discusses the Descartes’ arguments both in favor of the «great separation between mind and body», and against it. It is shown that Descartes’ thoughts about the mutual influence of the states of the body and phenomena of mind, about the close coupling of mind and body and their unity, about the connection of mind with bodily action are in line with the modern conception of embodied and enactive cognition and may well be considered as a forerunner for its development. Descartes' deep analytical mind, which allowed him to create a method and which gave scientists an attitude to doubt everything in search of scientific truths, allowed him to carefully evaluate his own theses, carrying out various, including opposing, argumentative lines of thought. The understanding the real contribution of Descartes is essential for the further development of the conception of embodied and enactive cognition, which has considerable methodological strength in various fields of social and humanitarian research.
Authors: Knyazeva Elena 
Published: April 2021

Descartes' thesis about the separation of mind and body is usually quite severely criticized in the modern cognitive science in general and philosophy of mind in particular. This thesis serves as an important starting point for the development of the conception of embodied and enacted cognition, which has gained extraordinary popularity to date. This article substantiates that the solution to the mind - body problem proposed by Descartes is not at all so unequivocal and categorical, his position is much more subtle and sophisticated than it often seems to us. The article discusses the Descartes’ arguments both in favor of the «great separation between mind and body», and against it. It is shown that Descartes’ thoughts about the mutual influence of the states of the body and phenomena of mind, about the close coupling of mind and body and their unity, about the connection of mind with bodily action are in line with the modern conception of embodied and enactive cognition and may well be considered as a forerunner for its development. Descartes' deep analytical mind, which allowed him to create a method and which gave scientists an attitude to doubt everything in search of scientific truths, allowed him to carefully evaluate his own theses, carrying out various, including opposing, argumentative lines of thought. The understanding the real contribution of Descartes is essential for the further development of the conception of embodied and enactive cognition, which has considerable methodological strength in various fields of social and humanitarian research.