This paper discusses how George Berkeley successfully refutes Descartes' argument regarding the existence of material objects.
Written in 2008; 750 words; 2 sources; MLA; $ 26.95
Paper Summary:
In this article, the writer shows that George Berkeley successfully refutes Descartes' argument that material objects have an existence separate from the mind and ideas. The writer maintains that Berkeley introduces systematic doubt, the same way that Descartes does. But instead of concluding that God is a deceiver, he proposes that perception must necessarily be imperfect. The writer discusses Berkeley's belief that material objects exist in the mind of God, and there can be no existence apart from perceiver and perceived. The writer concludes that Descartes' argument concerning the deception of God is a fallacy and that Berkeley successfully refutes Descartes' proposition.
From the Paper:
"In the process of systematic doubt Descartes shows that every part of phenomenal reality can be doubted, except the native mind that thinks, because doubt itself implies thought. At this point Descartes is certain of only one thing, and that is his own mind that thinks and doubts. The next step is to consider the ultimate creator of this mind, which must be a perfect being, because any imperfection will necessitate a further creator of less imperfection. The mind does not create itself, because it doubts, and therefore is imperfect. From this Descartes establishes the existence of God, as the Creator and the most perfect being. Because His nature is of the highest perfection, Descartes deduces that God is not a deceiver. From a parallel strand of argument he has established that the mind perceives material objects clearly and distinctly. Taking the two arguments together Descartes concludes that material objects must have existence."
We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.
This Free Term Paper Abstract is a part of our Term Paper Library.Here you can purchase research papers, examples of essays, academic dissertations, articles, notes, analytical papers, book reports, stories and poems. We have thousands of persuasive, point-of-view, narrative, critical, compare and contrast and other types of essays in our Library. You can also find here Term papers on "Berkeley's Refutation of Descartes", Essays on "Berkeley's Refutation of Descartes", Research papers on "Berkeley's Refutation of Descartes", Student papers on "Berkeley's Refutation of Descartes", Book reports on "Berkeley's Refutation of Descartes", Dissertation on "Berkeley's Refutation of Descartes", Thesis on "Berkeley's Refutation of Descartes", Summary of paper on "Berkeley's Refutation of Descartes", Articles written on "Berkeley's Refutation of Descartes".
Look for more research papers, essays and book reports on