Matter and Mind
Daniel Whiting
October 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/9780197843284.003.0002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Presents an exposition of Cavendish's metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and epistemology, covering her account of the structure of reality, the position of beings with sensitive and rational capacities, and the workings and reach of those capacities. The chapter aims to give readers unfamiliar with her work the theoretical background underlying her aesthetics and ethics. |
Abstract
This book is about Margaret Cavendish’s philosophy of value (see §1.3). This chapter is not—at least, not directly. Here I will focus on Cavendish’s metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and epistemology, that is, on her views regarding the constituents and structure of reality, the place of beings that possess sensitive and rational capacities within it, and the workings and reach of those capacities. One aim in doing so is to introduce those less familiar with Cavendish’s writings to the theoretical commitments that provide the background to her aesthetics and ethics.