Plato, Descartes and Kant

Paper Summary:

This paper compares the philosophical views of some of the greatest philosophers of all times, Plato, Descartes and Kant. The paper explains the Plato/Socratic approach to philosophy that reveals the limitations of philosophy as a rigorous science but maintains the belief that some things are knowable and valuable. The paper claims that in stark contrast to this method is Rene Descartes, who holds that philosophy can be attacked in a manner analogous to mathematics and like mathematics, definite and undeniable solutions can be derived. The paper contends that Kant's ideas are similar to those of Descartes.

From the Paper:

"Many great thinkers, both modern and ancient, have sought to attain some understanding of the world and the things within it by using the tool of philosophy. Just as they have differed in their views concerning morality and justice, they have also differed in specifically how far philosophy itself can take us. These varying beliefs-namely, philosophers' perspectives on philosophy-tell us a great deal about the most centrally held premises from which all of their arguments spring forth. The Plato/Socratic approach to philosophy reveals the limitations of philosophy as a rigorous science but maintains the belief that some things are knowable and valuable. Standing in stark contrast to this method is Rene Descartes, who holds that philosophy can be attacked in a manner analogous to mathematics; and like mathematics, definite and undeniable solutions can be derived."

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