Descartes (test 1)

Question 1

in the first meditation Descartes attacks a (then) widely held view about the foundation for sciential. what is the view he attacks?

Answer 1

• he is attacking the view that sense perception is a foundation for knowledge
• attacks the view that we gain knowledge from our senses
• attacks the idea of sense perception as a foundation for certainty

Question 2

according to Descartes what does it mean to say that something is metaphysically certain?

Answer 2

something is metaphysically certain if there are no conceivable situations in which it could turn out to be false. there are no internal contradictions or inconsistencies.

Question 3

state Descartes method of doubt

Answer 3

Descartes doubts everything that is not metaphysically certain. if it is not metaphysically certain than it can be doubted.
- if something is doubted it is ultimately not true/certain.
- if something is doubted one ought to refrain from believing it

Question 4

give 2 conclusions from the wax example

Answer 4

• descartes uses the wax example to illustrate how some things/concepts of things are extended (like the concept of space)
• descartes refers to its change in space/form once it melts. it takes on a different perceptual form but it is still technically the same substance
• 1st conclusion- one cannot know about the nature of a substance or entity by means of the senses
• 2nd conclusion- one can only know about the nature of things through means of the intellect/mind

Question 5

state the cogito

Answer 5

I think therefore I am

Question 6

why is the cogito crucial for descartes argument

Answer 6

it is the first thing that descartes establishes to be true (metaphysically certain) and serves as the basis for the rest of his arguments

Question 7

why is the cogito better for descartes than the ambulo

Answer 7

there is no way to doubt your own existence if it is based on thinking. you can’t deny your own thoughts but you can deny that you are walking.

Question 8

descartes truth rule

Answer 8

everything that is clear and distinct id true

Question 9

how does descartes use the cogito to establish the truth rule

Answer 9

• it is only in virtue of a clear and distinct perception that I have metaphysical certainty of my existence as a thinking being
• the cogito is the first thing that he finds to be metaphysically certain and clear and distinct
• therefore, if he finds other things that are clear and distinct they can be proven to be metaphysically certain

Question 10

what are the 2 substantive premises of the dream argument

Answer 10

1. there are no sure signs at t to distinguish being awake at t from being asleep and dreaming at t
2. the perceptions I have while dreaming are not reliable indicators of the way things are, let alone metaphysically certain