Meditation III Flashcards
Given the previous analysis of the cogito, what is Descartes’ preferred criterion of truth?
Building upon the certainty of his existence, Descartes then seeks to establish a criterion for determining truth. He argues that ideas that are clear and distinct in his mind are necessarily true. Clear and distinct perceptions refer to thoughts or ideas that are so evident and transparent that they cannot be doubted. These perceptions are characterized by their clarity, meaning they are present and evident to the mind, and distinctness, meaning they are sharply separated from other ideas and can be clearly understood in and of themselves.
Descartes contends that clear and distinct perceptions are reliable indicators of truth because they are immune to any possibility of error or deception. He posits that God, being a perfect and benevolent being, would not allow him to be deceived in clear and distinct perceptions. Therefore, if an idea is clear and distinct in his mind, it must be true.
“Whatever I clearly and distinctly perceive is true.”
Why does Descartes need to prove the existence of God?
Overcoming Radical Doubt: Descartes begins his philosophical journey by subjecting all his beliefs to radical doubt. He wants to find a foundation of knowledge that is indubitable and cannot be undermined by skepticism. By proving the existence of God, Descartes aims to establish a secure and reliable foundation for knowledge. He argues that if a perfect and benevolent God exists, then it follows that this God would not allow him to be deceived systematically. The existence of God provides a guarantee that clear and distinct perceptions, which Descartes considers a criterion for truth, can be trusted.
Ensuring the Reliability of the External World: Descartes’ doubt extends not only to his own beliefs but also to the existence of an external world. He questions whether the sensory information he receives can be trusted, as it may be subject to deception or illusion. By establishing the existence of God, Descartes seeks to secure the reliability of the external world. He argues that a perfect and non-deceptive God would not allow him to be consistently deceived about the external world and its properties. Thus, the existence of God serves as a grounding for the trustworthiness of the senses and the reality of the external world.
Bridging the Gap between Mind and Body: Descartes also grapples with the problem of the mind-body dualism. He posits that the mind (thinking substance) and the body (extended substance) are fundamentally distinct entities. However, he needs to explain how these distinct substances interact, given their different natures. Descartes argues that the interaction between mind and body is facilitated by God. God, being the creator of both mind and body, provides the bridge or interface through which these two distinct substances can interact causally.
Demonstrating the Rationality of Belief in God: Descartes was a deeply religious thinker, and he sought to reconcile his religious faith with his philosophical project. By proving the existence of God through rational arguments, Descartes aims to demonstrate that belief in God is not merely a matter of faith but can be grounded in reason. He seeks to show that reason and faith are compatible and that philosophical inquiry can lead to the affirmation of religious beliefs.
Identify and explain the three possible sources of all our ideas, provide examples of each.
Adventitious - acquired from an external source. Sense experience. Ex: Perceptions of colors, or sensations of heat or cold.
Factitious - made by me. Imagination. Ex: Imaginary creatures, or fictional stories.
Innate - In born. Understanding (self-evident). Ex: The idea of God, or mathematical truths.
Explain and critically discuss the first argument for the existence of God based on God as the cause of my having the idea of God. Identify the key premises.
- All of my ideas must have a cause, and
- There must be as much reality in the cause as in the effect.
- I have the idea of God, the idea of an infinite and perfect being.
- What is the cause of the idea of God?
- Given the three possible sources of ideas: Not the senses, not imagination, perhaps the understanding.
- But, from 2, there must be as much reality in the cause as in the effect.
- Could I as a finite and imperfect being be the cause of my having the idea of God?
- Only God could be that cause, hence God must exist.
What does Descartes mean when he says that the idea of the infinite is logically prior to that of the finite?
The concept of the infinite: Descartes argues that the concept of the infinite is clear and distinct in our minds. We can grasp the idea of something that has no boundaries, constraints, or limitations. This concept serves as the foundation for our understanding of what is unlimited and unbounded.
Derivation of the finite: Descartes suggests that the concept of the finite, such as specific quantities or limited boundaries, arises from our understanding of the infinite. We can conceive of the finite by negating or restricting the infinite concept. For example, we can understand a specific number, like 10, as a finite quantity by contrasting it with the infinite concept that encompasses all possible numbers.
Why does Descartes conclude that the idea of God is innate?
The idea of God is innate (in born)
Potentially, not actually innate
An idea that is self-evident, clear & distinct, necessarily true, grasped by a rational intuition, without the need for empirical confirmation.
A priori true
What does a rationalist mean by an innate idea: fully explain and provide examples of innate ideas, both theoretical and practical?
Theoretical innate ideas:
Theoretical innate ideas refer to concepts or knowledge that are ingrained in our minds and pertain to abstract or theoretical domains of understanding. Some examples of theoretical innate ideas include:
a. Mathematical truths: Rationalists argue that certain mathematical truths, such as the principles of addition or the concept of infinity, are innate. They claim that these principles are not learned through sensory experience but are inherent to our rational nature.
b. Logical principles: Rationalists propose that basic logical principles, such as the law of non-contradiction (something cannot be both true and false at the same time), are innate ideas. These principles are seen as universal and necessary for coherent thinking and reasoning.
c. Causal principles: Rationalists suggest that the idea of causality, the understanding that events have causes, is an innate concept. They argue that we naturally possess the notion that every effect must have a cause, even before we encounter specific instances of cause and effect in the world.
Practical innate ideas refer to concepts or knowledge that are instinctual or deeply ingrained within us, guiding our practical reasoning and behavior. Some examples of practical innate ideas include:
a. Moral intuitions: Rationalists propose that certain moral intuitions or principles, such as the belief in fairness or the intrinsic value of human life, are innate. They argue that these ideas are not solely learned through cultural or social conditioning but are part of our inherent moral sense.
b. Self-preservation: Rationalists contend that the instinct for self-preservation and the recognition of one’s own existence and identity are innate ideas. They argue that we have an inherent understanding of our own existence and an instinctual drive to protect ourselves.
c. Language acquisition: Rationalists suggest that the capacity for language acquisition is an innate ability. They propose that children are born with a predisposition for language, allowing them to learn and develop linguistic skills rapidly and effortlessly.
Distinguish actually innate from potentially innate.
Actually innate ideas are concepts or knowledge that are universally and necessarily present in every individual from birth. These ideas are considered inherent to human nature and are believed to be universally accessible without the need for external experiences or influences. Examples of actually innate ideas include the belief in the existence of a supreme being (as proposed by some rationalists) or the innate understanding of basic logical principles.
Potentially innate ideas refer to concepts or knowledge that have the potential to be innate but may not be universally present in every individual from birth. These ideas are seen as capacities or predispositions that individuals possess, which can be actualized under certain conditions or through specific experiences. Examples of potentially innate ideas include language acquisition or moral intuitions.
What role does God play in Descartes’ system?
The role of God in the Meditations: In Descartes’ work “Meditations on First Philosophy,” he embarks on a process of radical doubt, questioning the certainty of all his beliefs. Descartes seeks to establish a firm foundation for knowledge that cannot be doubted or deceived. He arrives at the famous dictum “Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”), which asserts the certainty of his own existence as a thinking being.
The role of God as a guarantor of truth: Descartes argues that if he exists as a thinking being, then there must be a cause for his existence. He contends that he cannot be the cause of his own existence, as he is a finite and imperfect being. Therefore, Descartes posits the existence of an external cause that is greater and more perfect than himself, which he identifies as God.
The role of God in the ontological argument: Descartes presents an ontological argument for the existence of God, proposing that the idea of a supremely perfect being implies its actual existence. He argues that since he has the idea of a perfect and infinite God, such a God must exist because the cause of this idea must possess all the perfections contained within it.
The role of God in the veracity of clear and distinct ideas: Descartes argues that God, as a perfect being, would not deceive him in his clear and distinct perceptions. He asserts that clear and distinct ideas, which are perceived by the intellect without any doubt, are reliable because they are given to him by God. Descartes posits that God as a benevolent and non-deceptive being ensures the truth and reliability of these ideas.
The role of God in the Cartesian dualism: Descartes’ philosophy includes a dualistic view of reality, separating mind and body. He suggests that the mind (or the thinking substance) is distinct from the body (or the extended substance). Descartes asserts that the interaction between the mind and the body is facilitated by God, who maintains the harmony and coordination between these two distinct substances.
