Philosophy

A detailed Summary of Philosophy

Rene Descartes asserts that our most fundamental beliefs are uncertain, and consequently, all beliefs resting on these basics are also uncertain. In his First Mediation, he sets out to determine which beliefs are certain and which are doubtful. Descartes applied illusion argument, dreaming argument, and evil genius argument. Descartes method of doubt is practically about sorting out our beliefs and keeping the only absolute beliefs, which cannot possibly be false. Descartes states "...because undermining the foundations will cause whatever has been built upon them to fall down of its own accord--I will at once attack those principles which supported everything that I once believed." Descartes is saying that because of the weak foundations he built will fall on its own sooner or later therefore, he will "at once" attack his principles. In dream argument Descartes argues which casts doubt on the truth on our intellectual beliefs. So, I know it's raining because I have perceptual belief that it's raining. "How often has my evening slumber persuaded me of such customary things as these: that I am here, clothed in my dressing gown, seated at the fireplace, when in fact I am lying undressed between the blanket." In this sentence Desc

artes is trying to explain that many times we dream and what we dream seems very real. According to Descartes structure of the reasoning goes like this: (A) It looks to me that it's raining (B) So, I know that it's raining The dream argument casts doubt on the transition from A to B assuming that we cannot know what we can doubt. (A) It looks to me that it's raining (C) If I am dreaming then it will look to me that it's raining when it's not really raining. So, I cannot be certain that it's raining because it could be just a dream. The second argument Descartes used is evil genius existence. Descartes used propositions of math because math problems as 7+5=12 does not rely on our senses justification. Descartes used evil genius argument to prove that even a priori, beliefs whose truth or falsity can be established independently of experience could be doubtful. Maybe it's evil genius, which is tricking us and making us to believe that 7+5=12. Look at the structure of the reasoning that will help us to understand a little better. (A) It looks to me that it's raining. (B) If I am being deceived by the evil genius then while it looks to me that it's raining however, it's not raining. So, I cannot be certain that it's raining because I could be just deceived by the evil genius. This example confirms that if evil genius exists then we cannot be certain about anything because it could be the evil genius that is tricking us and making us believe in certain ways. Also Descartes used illusion argument which basically tells us how our senses deceive us. For example, I believe that it's raining based on vision. This could be false because vision can be uncertain. "And it is mark of prudence never to trust wholly in those things which have once deceived us." Descartes is telling us never trust your senses which once deceived you because we cannot tell of course if we are being deceived or not. These arguments form doubt on great numerous beliefs we occupy. The only way out of this would be, if we could tell whether we are dreaming or being deceived. For example, if I knew that I was not dreaming nor am I being deceived, then I would know that what is happening to me was in fact the real thing. But the problem is we cannot be sure that we are not dreaming or being deceived. Dreaming, illusion, and evil genius arguments weaken all sort of knowledge from counting as accurate knowledge. However, one thing is certain in these arguments that they involve thinking. For instance, if I am dreaming that it's raining, I still think. Even if I am being deceived that it's raining, I still think. So, no matter if I am dreaming or being deceived I am still thinking. From this cause, here is one thing for certain: that I think. Descartes recognizes that the fact he is thinking he exist because only what exists can think. Lets look at this example: If I think that it's raining outside, I can be wrong about rain but I cannot be wrong about my thinking that it's raining. This method of doubt enables Descartes to achieve his goals particularly at the end he came to conclusion that no matter if I am being deceived or dreaming either way I am thinking, which is certain knowledge. Descartes accomplished his goals by trying all the factors but finally at the end he came to conclusion that no matter if he is dreaming, being deceived, or his senses deceive him one thing is certain, which is thinking. In addition to this, if he is thinking, that means he exist because only those thing

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Approximate Word count = 2342
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Science