test 3 (Descartes) Flashcards
present Descartes argument that God cannot be a deceiver
- someone can be a deceiver only if he/she can have certain unsavory characteristics (greed, weakness, etc.)
- God cannot have any of those unsavory characteristics
- therefore, God cannot be a deceiver
Why is it important to Descarte’s project in the meditations to show that God cannot be a deceiver?
it is important to show that God cannot be a deceiver because if God exists and he cannot be a deceiver, then the truth of our clear and distinct perceptions is divinely guaranteed. That is, God guarantees the truth rule.
What are the two faculties of the mind discussed in the fourth meditation
the intellect and the will
explain how we commit errors, and how we can avoid errors, according to Descartes
Descrates thinks we commit errors when we make a judgement (via will) about an idea presented (via intellect or understanding) that is not clearly and distinctly perceived. We can avoid errors by restraining the will within the bounds of what the mind understands clearly and distinctly.
what is doxastic voluntarism
doxastic voluntarism is the view that people have direct voluntary control over at least some of their beliefs.
What is a Real Distinction, according to Descartes? How do we recognize a Real distinction?
Present 2 examples of pairs of things that are really distinct.
A real distinction is a general relation, one which obtains between any 2 (or more) substances, irrespective of their kind. A real distinction is a purely numerical distinction, not necessarily a qualitative distinction.
- a clear and distinct perception of mutual separability is merely a sign indicating a real distinction. mutual separability is a sufficient condition for a real distinction. if I can perceive of two things in thought clearly and distinctly, then they must be really distinct.
- your dog Indiana jones and Justin Theroux are really distinct
-my cat and my roommates cat are really distinct, but essentially identical
