In Cartesian dualism, how are the body and soul viewed?

In Cartesian dualism, the body and soul are understood as interconnected yet distinct substances, which is core to René Descartes' philosophical framework. This perspective posits that the mind (or soul) and body constitute two separate realms of existence: the mental and the physical.

Descartes argued that the soul is a non-material, thinking substance, while the body is a material, extended substance. Despite their distinct natures, he proposed that they interact with one another, particularly through the pineal gland, where thoughts produced by the mind can manifest actions in the body and vice versa. This interaction highlights the complexity of their relationship, emphasizing that while they are fundamentally different in essence, they are still engaged in a dynamic connection where mental states can affect physical states and vice versa.

The other options don't capture this dualistic interaction effectively. Viewing them as completely independent and unrelated would neglect the ways they influence one another. Considering them as single aspects of a unified existence or as identical and indistinguishable fails to recognize the distinction Descartes makes between the corporeal and the incorporeal. Thus, the understanding of body and soul as interconnected but distinct encapsulates the essence of Cartesian dualism accurately.