The meaning of ‘intuition’ and ‘deduction’ and the distinction between them.

Question 1

intuition meaning

Answer 1

Comes from the Latin word intueri- meaning to look upon. It involves the mind looking upon certain intellectual objects and instantly recognising truths about them
Eg a triangle has three angles

Question 2

deduction meaning

Answer 2

Inferring (using reason to work out a conclusion from one or more intuitions
By deduction, Descartes means what we ordinarily mean by deductive argument.
An argument where the conclusion follows from the premises.
Eg, a squared + b squared = c squared
We can deduce Pythagoras theorem from our intuition of a right-angle triangle.

Question 3

Descartes is a foundationalist

Answer 3

knowledge has to be built on firm foundations
He claims knowledge must be based on firm foundations.
For Descartes the foundation is the cogito (one’s own existence)
Based on this an entire system of knowledge can be constructed using reason alone. (using intuition and deduction)