Abstract Rene Descartes' method of doubt provides a powerful tool for attempting to determine the fundamental nature of reality. The paper analyzes Meditations I and II, where Descartes uses the Method of Doubt in order to attempt to determine which beliefs and opinions are true. It shows that in order to do this, Descartes proposes a series of skeptical hypotheses, each aimed at determining if we can trust our specific faculties of sense, reason, and imagination. The paper concludes that Descartes method of doubt determines that all that we can truly know is cogitoergo sum (I think, therefore I am).
From the Paper "Descartes notes that examining each belief, and determining if it is true "would be truly an endless labor". As such, he argues that it is necessary to attempt to find a principle that can serve as the fundamental basis, or bedrock, for all his beliefs. Descartes argues that examining each individual belief is unnecessary, as well as laborious, given that an examination of his fundamental belief will reveal if all other beliefs, which rest upon it, are true as well. Says Descartes, "as the removal from below of the foundation necessarily involves the downfall of the whole edifice, I will at once approach the criticism of the principles on which all my former beliefs rested" Descartes, Meditations I)."
Abstract For the most part, epistemology is the theory of knowledge. In essence, it is a part of philosophy that deals ,not only with the mere concept of knowledge, but also with the nature, sources, and scope of knowledge. This paper presents an overview of the philosophy of epistemology and then looks specifically at Rene Descartes's Latin phrase. "COGITOERGO SUM", which translates to "I think, therefore I am".
From the Paper "Next, the terms ? I am?. These words tend to mean the necessary existence of Rene Descartes. ?I? being Rene Descartes and "am" being the existence of Descartes. Through this a further analysis is made to the effect that the issue of what is "I am" is personalized by the person stating such words, so that in this case "I am" is Rene Descartes being the existence of Rene Descartes."
Abstract In attempting to connect philosophy and theology, Rene Descartes made certain novel assumptions that, at the outset, would appear to contradict themselves. He believed that only the physical world could be proved according to mathematical evidence, yet, stated that the very existence or presence of an idea of a perfect God in the mind already suggests His reality and existence. The paper discusses Descartes's views that, in the act of perceiving reality, the human soul goes through activities, such as understanding, conceiving, doubting, affirming, denying, willing, refusing, imagining, feeling, and desiring. These activities share the common quality of deliberate thought or perception. The paper explains Descartes's idea that thought, then, is the essential attribute of the soul.
Paper Outline
Introduction
Rationale for the Choice of the Philosophy
Historical Background
Strong Points
Weak Points
Applicability of Descartes's Philosophy
Summary
Quotes
Bibliography
From the Paper "It is however, disastrous to accept Descartes? concept of passions as animal spirits circulated by the blood and originating from our pineal gland. If they were inherently physiological, then we need not worry about being responsible for our deliberate acts. There will cease to be any difference between what is right and what is wrong. Civilization will collapse and life itself will vanish from the planet. We should not blame the bleakness or dignity of human existence to the pineal gland."
Abstract This paper provides a general biography of Rene Descartes, as well as a basic summary of his philosophical tenets. The paper also discusses Descartes' accomplishments in the field of mathematics as well as philosophy.
From the Paper "Often considered the father of modern philosophy, Renee Descartes is one of the most influential ground-breaking thinkers in the history of human thought. Indeed his accomplishments go beyond the field of philosophy as he was an elite mathematician who is credited with inventing analytic geometry. However it is Descartes' work in laying the philosophic foundation for modern scientific thought that is his greatest achievement. Descartes' philosophy was deeply rooted in rationalism because he began his inquiry by questioning the very validity of the knowledge that man believes he possesses."
Abstract This paper details three common fallacies to critical thinking, particularly within an organization. It provides examples of each fallacy (analogy or false analogy, post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy and the straw man argument) and it addresses the significance of each fallacy in relation to critical thinking. The paper then examines the general application of fallacies in relation to decision-making.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Fallacies
Arguments and Fallacies
Common Fallacies
Critical Thinking and Decision- making
Conclusion
From the Paper "The straw man argument is another logical fallacy. The straw man approach attempts to misrepresent an opponent's position on a subject to make it easier to attack the opponent. Using the straw man tactic, one would distort the view of the opponent to ridiculous extremes or attack the weak premises associated with the argument. An example of this form of logical fallacy is represented in an article published in The Vancouver Sun. The article specifically reveals how the straw man approach is used to discredit expert claims to the cause and effects of global warming and extreme weather events. In this article, the Vancouver Sun writer Morag Carter opposes the position of the editor of the Journal of Natural Hazards, Tad Murty. The Sun writer explains, Murty has been quoted in the press: "This [global warming] is the biggest scientific hoax being perpetrated on humanity". Murty goes on to explain, " There is no global warming due to human anthropogenic activities" (Carter, 2006). Carter uses this article to stress how Murty has used the straw man approach to attack the credibility of the claim that global warming is contributing to extreme weather events."
Tags: analogy, ergo, propter, evidence, straw, man
Abstract This paper provides a brief introduction to Descartes's arguments from "Mediations" and provides some common criticisms of Descartes's philosophy.
From the Paper "Descartes dream argument is based on his assumption that humans accept any information that comes in from the senses as true. In his dream argument, Descartes proposes that the sensations that he feels in reality are greatly similar to those sensations that he feels while dreaming. As such, there is no reliable way to tell the difference between sensations felt during dreams and those felt while awake."
Abstract This paper discusses the Cartesian mind-body dilemma by analyzing Descartes' "Meditations on First Philosophy". The paper explains that Cartesian dualism intended to moderate between the established religious paradigm of the time and the emerging natural sciences and by positing mind and body as complete substances which refer to nothing but themselves. The paper also looks at how Descartes' theory of mind preserves the religious conception of man as an immortal soul in possession of free will by placing such outside the realm of the physical sciences. The paper points out that Descartes' "Meditations on First Philosophy" seeks to establish two distinct classes of substances in mind and extension, but fails to adequately address the manner in which these two incommensurable substances interact to generate our experience of the world. The writer suggests that Descartes conceives of the body as a 'kingdom within a kingdom' of mind, and is left with the problem of how these kingdoms are able to carry out diplomatic relations with one another.
From the Paper "The cogito, 'I think therefore I am', delimits mind as the substance of thought, the primary existential of being. This is arrived at by proposing that there could be a malicious demon of some sort that may be propagating a vast illusion of experience, generating even our thoughts. Even in this radical scepticism, however, Descartes concludes that there must be something that this hoax is played upon, and no matter what this demon may be able to do, he can never convince something that it is nothing; "...I must finally conclude that this proposition, I am, I exist, is necessarily true whenever it is put forward by me or conceived in my mind" . The cogito, therefore, shows mind to be a substance that is necessarily true without reference to any other substance. It is the essence to which all the modes of thought refer."
