1. Why does Descartes want certainty?

2. What area of philosophy was Descartes concerned with?

3. Explain the differences between the sceptical approach and the sceptical viewpoint.

4. Is Descartes a rationalist or empiricist? Give a reason to support your view.

1. Why does Descartes attack Scepticism?

2. Cartesian dualism is…?

3. Was Descartes influenced by religion?

4. What is an automaton?

5. According to Descartes, were humans automatons?

Cartesian Dualism is Descartes method of showing two basic substances (mind and material) which exist in the universe. Both were created by God but the material would be subject to the laws of science while the mind is still the responsibility of the church (God).

Material = cause and effect

Mind = Freewill

What is the Method of Doubt? Descartes says that he wishes to examine those things which he thinks to be true and set aside all those beliefs of which there might be some doubt.

Examining all of one's beliefs, one by one, would be a very long, chancy and impractical process. So, Descartes needs a way to group beliefs together, which will allow him to call into question whole classes of beliefs by questioning their common character.

He finds such a way to group beliefs by focusing on the faculty, such as the senses, the imagination or reason, from which beliefs are derived.

1. By using a dualist approach, Descartes was able to…..

2. According to Christian teaching…

3. The Cartesian view meant…

4. Humans are distinct from the rest of creation…

5. “I know that I am not perfect…” (Descartes’ argument for the existence of God- explain what it means

6. How is Descartes influenced by the Mediaeval period?

Finish off the following sentences….

1. Explain Descartes’ aim in your own words

2. Why did Descartes want certainty?

3. Explain the analogy of the demolition of an old building-what does it mean in regard to Descartes?

4. Describe the reasons why in Meditation 1 Descartes believes we could all be dreaming?

5. Is Descartes a sceptic? Explain your answer.

What reasons does Descartes give for doubting whether he is awake or asleep?

Descartes revision sheet 1

1. Cartesian dualism is _______ and _________ .

2. Descartes was a rationalist which means

3. Two influential periods before Descartes were __________ and __________ .

4. From each he took

a) b)

5. What influence did mathematics have on Descartes?

6. Why was Descartes a sceptic? 

7. Why was Descartes not a sceptic?

8. Explain what Descartes was trying to do (story of the building) and what was his method called?

God plays an important part in Descartes’ Meditations.

If God exists why would she allow an evil

demon to control Descartes’ mind?

If God exists would she continue to torment Descartes with silly tricks?

Answer: Descartes says that he has a clear and distinct idea of God in his mind. His ideas about God are traditional theological ones: omnipotent, omniscient, Eternal, and loving.

At the end of Meditation 1 Descartes uses his “Method of Doubt” to find Clear and Distinct ideas (things which if clear and distinct can accepted to be true).

He begins by disregarding everything taught to him by authorities because they cannot be trusted. Secondly he distrusts the senses as these can give no certainty about the world. For example an object seen in the distance will be quite different close up. The sun from a distance is small but closer to it makes it bigger. Thirdly, Descartes questions whether we are awake or dreaming as he has mistaken dreams for reality and vice-versa. And finally, Descartes introduces the idea of an evil demon who is controlling everything and deceiving all of our experiences.

In Meditation II Descartes begins by saying that the previous day’s meditation has filled his mind with so many doubts that it is impossible to forget them. It is like falling into deep water.

Descartes wants to be like Archimedes, to find one foundational certainty that cannot be doubted.

Descartes questions:

•What is his mind/soul?

•What is his body?

•How can he know that God exists if there is an evil demon who has taken control of everything?

However this leads Descartes to his sure foundation which is called the cogito. Believing that you exist is different from all other beliefs. In order to be deceived by the evil demon, I must exist in order to be deceived. This is different from other beliefs such as riding a bike to school which could be an illusion created by the demon. The demon cannot deceive you about your existence because in order to be deceived you must exist. The implication from this statement is that in existing, a thinking person, has to think. Hence the statement “I think therefore I am”. This is the cogito and Descartes foundational certainty. This can stand up to his method of doubt.

Descartes in Med 2 is lead to his sure foundation which is called the Cogito. Believing that you exist is different from all other beliefs. In order to be deceived by the evil demon, I must exist in order to be deceived. “I think-I exist”.

Problem:Descartes has established that he is a thinking thing but nothing more-Subjectivism. Another danger: is only his thinking real?-Solipsism

Another problem?

In Meditation II - he determines that the essence of body is to be flexible, movable and extended. So it turns out that the essence of mind and the essence of body are two different things. Minds are in essence thinking things, bodies are in essence space occupiers, movable and flexible. This is the basic doctrine of Cartesian dualism with respect to mind and body - bodies and minds are different kinds of entities. How can they interact? Science can only measure the materials-speed, mass, density, not mind!

Descartes’ views on the material substances are reflected in the distinction between primary qualities and secondary qualities.

Primary are extension, shape and motion and are measurable and objective.

Secondary are smell, colour, feel, and are entirely subjective and immeasurable.

At the end of meditation 2 Descartes has explained the place of rational thought in providing a priori, innate, God-given reason as the basis for knowledge about anything. The cogito is self-evidently true and from this he tries to provide, with the help of God, that the world is as he rationally knows it to be.

Quik Quizz

1. Descartes is a rationalist-reason gives him knowledge about himself and the world.

2. At the end of meditation 1, Descartes doubts that God loves him.

3. At the end of meditation 2 Descartes tries to build a new philosophy-do away with the old building.

4. The cogito proves that Descartes has a mind-that’s all- some dangers associated with this.

5. The cogito has no problems associated with it.

6. The progression of Descartes’ doubts moves from: senses, evil demon, authority, awake or sleeping.

7. The progression of Descartes’ doubts in Meditation 2 moves from authority, senses, awake or sleeping to evil demon.

8. Descartes is a sceptic.

9. Descartes uses the method of doubt (sceptical method) to disprove scepticism- he wants to find a foundational certainty.

10. The progression of Descartes’ doubts in Mediation 1 moves from authority, senses, awake or sleeping to evil demon.

11. Descartes begins Meditation 2 by being very tired.

12. Descartes uses an image of being in deep water at the beginning of Meditation 2 to show how difficult the doubts of the previous day have been for him.

13. In Mediation 2, Descartes finds his foundational certainty which is the Cogito-this disproves the evil demon theory.

14. The cogito means “I think- I exist”.

15. The foundational certainty of the cogito in Meditation 2 is true for Descartes- in order to be deceived he knows that he must exist.

1. Cogito

2. Foundational certainty

3. Method of doubt

4. Clear and distinct ideas

5. Evil demon

6. Sceptical

7. Rationalist

• Mr Twigg look alike

•Reason is primary way to gain knowledge

•Using scepticism to disprove scepticism

•True and Exists Independently of other beliefs when perceived clearly

•Doubting, questioning, considering

•Beyond doubt that this is one certain indubitable truth.

•Descartes’ foundational certainty: “I think, I exist”.

•That Celtic will win the league

1. Cogito

2. Foundational certainty

3. Method of doubt

4. Clear and distinct ideas

5. Evil demon

6. Sceptical

7. Rationalist

• Descartes’ foundational certainty: “I think, I exist”.

•Beyond doubt that this is one certain indubitable truth.

•Using scepticism to disprove scepticism

•True and Exists Independently of other beliefs

•Mr Twigg look alike

•Doubting, questioning, considering

•Reason is primary way to gain knowledge

Homework

Why is the Cogito important for Descartes’ philosophy? Does it provide any answers of more problems?(400 words)

Meditation 1: Descartes doubts everything.

Meditation 2: Descartes finds his foundational certainty

Meditation 3: Argument for the existence of God.

Descartes outlines his Thumbprint/Trademark argument for the existence of God.

Basically he says that because he is imperfect and finite, it is impossible for him to have created something which is perfect and infinite.

God must have placed the innate idea within Descartes.

He could not have conceived of the idea of infinity and perfection himself

Only God could leave this mark on him-hence the name “Trademark”/ “Thumbprint”

Perfection is a quality of God.

Eternal or Infinite is a quality of God.

Descartes is imperfect and finite-it is impossible for him to conceive of this himself.

This must have been stamped on him from something outside of himself.

Hence the idea of God’s existence.

Explain why Descartes comes to the conclusion that God is no deceiver.