Descartes calls the distinction between attributes of the same substance, and between a given attribute and its substance a "rational distinction," (Principles, I, §62, CSM, I, p. 214, AT 30) and so, insofar as Thought and Extension belong to the same substance for Spinoza, they would be, in Descartes' terminology, rationally distinct.[8] Spinoza however, says that they are "really distinct".
For there is no distinction in principle between the two.
The distinction between principle theories and constructive theories from Poincaré and Lorentz, to Einstein.
Why the contradiction?One explanation is that Americans are drawing a distinction between principle and practice or what they assume to be practice.
The act in question does undoubtedly discriminate in favor of a certain class of refiners, but this discrimination, if founded upon a reasonable distinction in principle, is valid.
Doubtless great weight will be given to its judgment in that regard, and the legislation will not be held invalid if it be founded upon a real distinction in principle between persons or corporations of the same class.
It may be that railways are less given to the observance of precautions required of them as neighborhood landowners than the proprietors of individual property, but that does not create a distinction in principle.
It is useful in this context to recall Einstein's (1954) distinction between principle theories and constructive theories.
On Notice In 1927 German jurist Carl Schmitt developed a concept called the "friend-enemy distinction," a principle by which he believed all political action should be reduced.
In this respect, it can be seen how Descartes's account of mechanism and his distinction between principles of matter and principles of thought comport well with Desgabets's world view.
Aquinas maintained that the immortality of the human soul can be strictly demonstrated, that there is a real distinction of principles between the soul and its powers of knowing and willing, and that human knowledge is based upon sense experience leading to the mind's reflective activity.
