Med 3 Essay Flashcards
Introduction:
+ in med 2, Descartes believes he has established a form of absolute knowledge through the cogito - I disagree
+ tries to find another: the existence of god
+ argument for the existence is known as the trademark argument
Paragraph 1 topic
The clear and distinct rule
Paragraph 1 points:
+ if an idea is both clear and distinct = true
+ clear if it is self-explanatory
+ distinct if it is independent from other ideas
+ Descartes says his idea of god is both clear and distinct
Paragraph 1 quote:
“I call an idea clear when it is present and fully revealed to the mind attending to it…I call an idea distinct when it is so separated and demarcated form all other ideas.”
Paragraph 2 topic
Discussion of the clear and distinct rule
Paragraph 2 points:
- definition of clear and distinct may be product of deception
+ invalid, logic is all that matters - logic may be product of deception
- Descartes created this rule, meaning it may be biased and is definitely subjective
Your stance on paragraph 2?
I find the clear and distinct rule ineffective, as it is the word and ideology of one man
Paragraph 3 topic
The nature of ideas
Paragraph 3 points:
+ innate and adventitious ideas
+ splits innate ideas into formal and objective
+ knife example: knife has more objective reality than quality of sharpness
+ causal adequacy principle: every effect must have a cause that is equally or more real
+ infinite regress of creation
+ god stops this as ultimate creator
Paragraph 3 quote:
“It follows from this both that something cannot arise from nothing, and also what is more perfect - that is, contains in itself more reality - cannot arise from what is less perfect”
Paragraph 4 topic
Discussion of the causal adequacy principle
Paragraph 4 points:
- infinite regress could actually be possible, we are deceived into thinking it isn’t
- God could not exist, as he is all-perfect/all-real
- John cottingham cake example: ingredients of a cake are not spicy, but final cake is. Cake has more reality (sponginess) than the cause.
Your stance on paragraph 4?
I find all criticisms effective
- first two highlight Descartes willingness to jump to conclusions, as he is guided strongly by Christian beliefs
- second as it is illogical to state sponginess was created from nothing + Descartes said the causal adequacy principle was self-evident
Overall reliability of trademark argument reduced
Paragraph 5 topic
The trademark argument
Paragraph 5 points:
+ Imperfect beings could not create the image of a perfect being without having experienced perfection to understand their own imperfections.
+ god left a trademark in the mind of Descartes
+ ensure Descartes worshipped him and knew who his creator was
Paragraph 5 quote:
“How could I understand that I doubted or desired - that is lacked something - and that I was not wholly perfect, unless there were in me some idea of a more perfect being which enabled me to recognise my own defects by comparison.”
Paragraph 6 topic
Discussion of the trademark argument
Paragraph 6 points:
+ far-fetched, but valid at first glance
+ however, idea of perfection may be product of deception
+ innate ideas may be product of deception to, meaning he has truly learned his idea of god
Your stance on paragraph 6?
I find criticisms effective. Also, struggle to abandon my own atheist beliefs.
Paragraph 7 topic
The Cartesian circle
Paragraph 7 points:
+ identified by Antoine Arnauld - contemporary of D
+ uses circular logic/codependency between clear and distinct rule and existence of a non-deceiving god
+ also means the malicious demon is not removed - still in solipsism
Paragraph 7 example:
Q: How do you know that God exists?
A: Because I proved his existence using clear and distinct ideas.
Q: How do you know that clear and distinct ideas are reliable
A: Because a non-deceiving god exists
Your stance on paragraph 7?
I find the criticism effective
- circular logic sums up lack of reliability
- as I found the cogito ineffective, he is still in solipsism
Conclusion:
+ unsuccessful in proving God’s existence
+ preconceived beliefs caused him to make uncharacteristic errors
+ same position as end of med 2, as I didn’t find the cogito effective
+ still in solipsism
+ close to defeat at the hands of the sceptics
