Philosophy - Descartes 1 HW
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Philosophy
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Jan 9, 2024
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Uploaded by javondawalker1
Javonda Walker
Fall 2023
Philosophy of the Human Person (PHI-1000-197)
November 5th, 2023
1.
Why is Descartes considered to be the father of Modern Philosophy? (2 point)
Descartes is considered to be the father of modern philosophy because he emphasized the
importance of individual human reason and doubt as a method for acquiring knowledge, this set
the foundation for philosophical- inquiry. Descartes wanted a new method of philosophizing that
would allow the philosopher to reach the same kind of certainty that mathematicians and
scientists achieved. Descartes also introduced the concept of foundationalism, the idea that
knowledge should be built upon unquestionable and self-evident foundations, which influenced
following philosophers.
2.
How does Descartes’
methodic doubt
differ from the ordinary way of doubting? (2
point)
Descartes’ methodic doubt is different from ordinary doubt in its systematic and radical
approach. Descartes suspends all sensory activity to reflect on his own inner consciousness
which is uncontaminated by any image from sensory experience. While ordinary doubt may be
selective or occasional, Descartes employed a methodical doubt in which he systematically
doubted all his beliefs, even those that seemed certain, pretending to have no knowledge to
establish a foundation of indubitable knowledge.
3.
According to Descartes, what is the source of error in human knowing process? (1
point)
According to Descartes, the source of error in the human knowing process and how we
understand the world comes from relying too much on our senses which can sometimes deceive
us, leading us to believe things that are not true. Descartes argued that to avoid errors, we should
base our knowledge on ideas that are clear and distinct, which means they are self-evident and
undeniable. He thought that by using our reason and focusing on ideas that are clearly and
distinctly understood, we can minimize errors in our knowledge. This is why he emphasized the
importance of doubt and the search for clear and distinct ideas in his philosophical method.
4.
Apart from mathematical statements, identify other ideas that can be considered clear
and distinct. (2 points)
Descartes believed that besides mathematical statements, there are other kinds of ideas that can
be considered clear and distinct. These ideas are obvious and certain that no reasonable person
can doubt them once they understand them clearly. Like the idea that I exist when I am thinking
(cogito, ergo sum) is clear and distinct because it's undeniable when I am actively thinking.
Another example is the idea of a perfect and benevolent God, which Descartes argued is clear
and distinct because it's self-evident and intuitive in our minds.
5.
What is Descartes' position with regard to the existence of God? (3 points)
Descartes' position on the existence of God goes two ways. He argued that the idea of a
perfect God is intuitive to human beings, and that the idea cannot have been come from the
imperfect human mind. So, the concept of God as a supremely perfect and benevolent being
is something that is naturally implanted in our minds and cannot come from our own
imperfect thinking. Descartes also said that God is not a deceiver. He believed that since God
is a perfect being, He would not deceive us or allow us to be systematically misled in our
pursuit of knowledge. Descartes believe that the idea of a perfect God demonstrates God's
existence, and God's kindness ensures that our capability of reason and perception, though
imperfect, can still be relied on to attain certain knowledge. This belief in the existence of
God and the non-deceptive nature of God plays a significant role in Descartes philosophical
ideas.
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