Descartes Meditations On First Philosophy

Question 1

Goal of the Meditations

Answer 1

1. To vanquish skepticism in the senses
2. To demonstrate that we can trust our senses
3. To show that science and religion are not opposed to each other

Question 2

Foundationalism

Answer 2

Theory of knowledge holding that all knowledge rests upon a certain foundation of knowledge

Question 2

Foundationalism

Answer 2

Theory of knowledge holding that all knowledge rests upon a certain foundation of knowledge

Question 3

Foundation of Descartes beliefs before the Meditations

Answer 3

Descartes insists that foundational beliefs must be true

Question 4

Foundational beliefs…

Answer 4

Do not rely on other beliefs for their justification

Question 5

Is Descartes a radical skeptic?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

Why does Descartes employ the method of skepticism?

Answer 6

He attempts to sure up our foundations

Question 7

Three arguments for doubting the senses…

Answer 7

1. Argument from illusion
2. Dream argument
3. Evil Deviever argument

Question 8

What does Descartes first claim he cannot doubt?

Answer 8

The fact that he is a thinking thing

Question 9

Cartesian Dualism

Answer 9

There are two substances that are foundational to humans, the mind and the body.

Question 10

Veil of ideas

Answer 10

Descartes cannot find anything outside of himself

Question 11

How does Descartes get out from behind the veil of ideas?

Answer 11

He proves the maximum reality of God

Question 12

Cosmological argument

Answer 12

The only thing with infinite formal (maximal) reality is God

Question 13

Ideas

Answer 13

Pictures in our minds

Question 14

Object of idea

Answer 14

What the idea is about

Question 15

Substance

Answer 15

Bearer of properties that needs nothing else in order to exist

Question 16

Mode

Answer 16

The way something is (color, texture)

Question 17

What is maximally real?

Answer 17

Infinite substances, God

Question 18

What is mediumly real?

Answer 18

Finite substances, human mind, trees

Question 19

What is minimally real?

Answer 19

Modes, ideas, colors

Question 20

Formal reality

Answer 20

The reality if something, maximally, mediumly, minimally

Question 21

Objective reality

Answer 21

The degree of reality of its object

Question 22

The level of objective reality of an idea…

Answer 22

Is the level of formal reality of its object

Question 23

Descartes argument for the external world

Answer 23

1. God would heve to trap us in a belief that the physical world does not exist in order for it not to exist
2. God would never deceive us
3. Therefore, the physical world must me real