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Defense of Descartes' Skeptical Argumentation, 2000.
An examination and defense of the skepticism of French philosopher Rene Descartes, looking at plausible arguments against his method.
1,020 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 3 sources, $ 36.95
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From the Paper
"In his Meditations, Descartes puts aside all his present beliefs and, by using skepticism, he attempts to discover a set of basic beliefs whose truth is beyond doubt. Descartes uses his dream argument to explain that our senses are not powerful enough to determine which beliefs are true and which are not. In his Second Meditation, through the use of skepticism, he derives his first basic belief, his own existence. "
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Descartes' Skepticism., 2002.
Argues against philosopher, Descartes' skepticism in relation to his work, "The First Meditation".
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 1 source, $ 53.95
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Abstract
Descartes' "The First Meditation", subtitled "What can be called into doubt," opens with a Meditator reflecting upon the volume of falsehoods he has believed during his life and on the subsequent shakiness of the body of knowledge he has built up from these falsehoods. He has resolved to clear away all that he thinks he knows to start anew from the foundations, reconstructing his knowledge once more on stable grounds. "Meditations", Volume 1 focuses upon the skepticism of a man confronting the instability of his perceptions of reality and upon life itself. He questions his senses, wrestles with deciding upon the Deific or Satanic origins of his deception and ultimately determines that he cannot doubt the reality of his own existence. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the nature of Descartes' skepticism relating to the "First Meditation", and to demonstrate the fallacy of his argument.
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"Total Recall" and the Skeptic's Argument - A Metaphorical Unity, 2002.
A look at the philosophical skeptic's argument within the film "Total Recall".
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 2 sources, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper is an examination of the philosophical skeptic's argument and how it is expressed in the film, "Total Recall". The paper examines the skeptic's argument, the definition and application within the film of strong and weak knowledge, and of the very sense of reality that Douglas Quaid so passionately holds on to.
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Descartes' Argument of Mind over Matter, 2008.
An analysis of Rene Descartes' argument of mind over matter in his "Meditations".
850 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Descartes' argument, outlined in his "Meditations", that the mind is more easily understood than the physical world. The paper point out that, at first, it might seem that the physical world should be more easily understood, for we can see it, touch it, and otherwise perceive it with our senses. However, the paper shows how Descartes makes a compelling argument based on everyday evidence that suggests that the mind is much easier to understand than the physical world. To conclude, the paper asserts that Descartes' argument ultimately hinges on the matter of trust.
From the Paper
"When one attempts to understand the nature of an object in the physical world, it necessitates the use of one's mind. This is inevitable. Yet, at the same time, Descartes also freely admits that he--like everyone--has experienced instances when his senses have played tricks on him. In fact, with perhaps a bit of tongue in cheek, Descartes even goes so far as to say that there's little way for him to know if his sense aren't being actively tricked by mischievous or malevolent force. The ultimate point to consider is that sensory perceptions cannot be fully trusted, since we have all had experiences in which they have misrepresented the world. This misrepresentation can take the form of sensory hallucinations or inaccurate memories. In either case, our understanding of the physical world is already hampered because it can only be experienced indirectly through the senses, which Descartes confirms is a questionable medium at best."
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Descartes' "Trademark Argument", 2005.
This paper analyzes, in terms of soundness and validity, Descartes' "Trademark Argument", which attempts to prove the existence of God.
1,340 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 0 sources, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper argues that Descartes' "Trademark Argument" can only be a sound argument if all the premises are true leading to a true conclusion; thereby, all the premises must be 100% true and there is no argument within an argument. The author points out that there is a problem in the first premise because Descartes says he has this idea of a perfect being but he doesn't mention anything else besides the fact that he has this idea of something perfect. The paper contends that Descartes' actually trying to prove that there is a God is just ridiculous because the author feels that God's existence is supposed to be based on a belief system; there are many religions held by many types of people in the world, and every religion seems to have their own God and own story behind how the world became into existence.
From the Paper
"The first thing Descartes said in his argument was, "I have an idea of a perfect being." Well his perfect being he is referring to is supposed to be God. Since Descartes' whole goal of this argument is to prove the existence of God, this was probably a good start to the argument. He kept it simple, and short without too many details. Once he had this idea, he probably might have been thinking how this idea came to him, which brings up the next premise in his argument."
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Descartes' Ontological Argument, 2001.
This paper focuses on Descartes' ontological argument in the "Meditations".
1,298 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper first outlines Descartes? argument for the existence of God as set forth in Meditation V. The writer then addresses the two most prominent objections to this argument: First, Kant?s objection that Descartes' argument is valid but unsound because it contains a false premise, and second, Caterus? objection that the argument is invalid because the conclusion does not logically follow the premises.
From the Paper
"Having established that clear and distinct perceptions are true, Descartes then asserts that he has a clear and distinct perception of God. ?Clearly the idea of God, that is, the idea of a supremely perfect being, is one I discover to be no less within me than the idea of any figure or number.? (M., 368) Additionally, this perception of God includes the concept of existence. ?It is obvious to anyone who pays close attention that existence can no more be separated from God?s essence than [a triangle] having three angles equal to two right angles, or that the idea of a valley can be separated from the idea of a mountain.? (M., 369) Descartes then combines this concept with his first premise to complete the argument. Since clear and distinct perceptions about the nature of a thing are true, and the idea of existence is inextricably linked with the idea of a God, Descartes concludes that a God must therefore exist."
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Descartes' Cosmological Argument, 2002.
This paper discusses the cosmological argument of Rene Descartes.
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 6 sources, $ 89.95
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Abstract
The essay reveals that the argument primarily suggests the innate existence of ideas. Descartes employs his famous "dream argument" to argue that the idea of one's own existence proves the difference between objective and subjective reality.
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Descartes? Argument for God?s Existence, 2006.
Examination of how Descartes' "Third Meditation" argues God's existence.
1,587 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 51.95
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Abstract
While no argument for or against the existence of a higher power will successfully convince members of the other theological camp to its supposed truth, Descartes' "Third Meditation" remains a very skillful, well orchestrated defense of the author's beliefs. This paper points out that an exercise in logic, Descartes' argument for the existence of God is also an excellent example. It explains that the work progresses from the basic to the complex, uses analogies from the readers' experience, anticipates and addresses readers' possible objections and uses such classic methods as cause and effect, negative logic through absences and the need for absolutes.
From the Paper
"The existence of a divine being, namely God, has challenged philosophers, writers, theologians, and other thinkers for millennia; often individuals have, after struggling with exhaustive arguments about a source of immaculate virtue or a prime mover, merely shrugged their shoulders and claimed that the best defense for believing in a higher power is 'personal faith.' Atheists have long rejoiced in this supposed inability to prove God's existence objectively and have often placed their belief in science, with its reliance on axioms, proofs, and purely empirical evidence. Yet how accurate is science? Medical knowledge of the seventeenth century, with its notions of humors and effluvia, has been largely disproved, much like the racially-based biological and genetic theories of the early twentieth century. In addition to being required to constantly undergo modification or rejection, scientific theories often rely on faith; for example, nuclear physics purports the existence of quarks, but no naked eye has ever seen one. While the debate between religion and science has become quite heated, especially since the eighteenth century Enlightenment, French philosopher Rene Descartes penned his Third Meditation in 1637, arguing very convincingly for the existence of God. Indeed, Descartes' argument, relying on notions of the source of inner ideas, cause and effect, and objective perfection, gives reason for theists to applaud and atheists to perhaps rethink their position on the God question."
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Understanding Descartes?s Dream Argument, 2005.
Examines Descartes's dream theory within the context of the idea that computers might think, dream, and be deceived by dreams.
1,956 words (approx. 7.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 62.95
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Abstract
The ?dream argument? may have been a truly-lived expression of doubtfulness during Descartes's era. This paper notes why Descartes and his contemporaries may have been truly puzzled, given the state of scientific understanding at that time. Today, one cannot even get to the point in which proving or refuting Descartes?s dream argument would make any sense. One cannot simply lift the dream argument out of those circumstances and transplant it to our times. The paper shows that what may be appropriate is to look at computer technology today and ask whether computers can think, dream, and be deceived by their dreams.
From the Paper
"One can first begin with the question of whether computers can really play chess. Over thirty years ago it would have been very apparent that chess game software (and the corresponding hardware) had a challenging time competing with someone who was a decent chess player. When the question was asked over thirty years ago, it was possible to answer the question in the negative by way of showing the essential differences between how a human makes a move in chess versus how a computer performs the same operation."
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On the Nature of the Supreme Deity - Descartes and Hume, 1990.
Review of the arguments of Descartes and Hume for the existence of God. Descartes' argument from definition and Humes' teleological argument (argument from design) are examined.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 2 sources, $ 55.95
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From the Paper
"Rene Descartes, in his work, The Meditations on First Philosophy (1953) ed., and David Hume, in his work, An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1955 ed.), both argue for the existence of a supreme deity. Descartes believes that the deity is a perfect being living in the consciousness of men. Indeed, his God represents the supreme consciousness or all.knowing mind. David Hume sees proof for the existence of God in the perfect and complex order of nature. Thus, the primary difference between the two philosophers concerns where they seek their evidence for the existence of the Deity. Descartes seeks God within man or through internal evidence. Whereas Hume seeks evidence for God's existence through external observations of the world around us. Although to some degree Hume also accepts Descartes' hypothesis that God must exist as long on as man carries awareness of him in his"
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Descartes: Three Doubts, 2005.
An analysis of skepticism in Rene Descartes's philosophy.
832 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 29.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses Rene Descartes's three skeptical doubts and the importance of skepticism in his philosophy. The paper explains that the exercise of skepticism is the backbone of Descartes's philosophical approach and is the defining element of his meditations, insofar as they revolve around the identification and examination of three doubts: the doubt in his own existence, the reality of God, and the existence of the outside world. The importance and implications of these doubts are discussed in the paper in the hope of illustrating that, if we want to arrive at certain knowledge and objective truth, we should begin, as Descartes did, by doubting.
From the Paper
"Descartes' third doubt is a natural extension of the first two and particularly interesting insofar as its conclusion is predetermined by the ones arrived at earlier. Quite simply stated, we know that we exist because we are thinking beings and ultimately, conclude that God exists because we have exercised our thinking abilities. However, the outside world is primarily communicated to us as an entity through multiple perceptions and perceptions, in themselves, cannot be accepted as certitudes insofar as they may be misled by the Evil Demon. Nevertheless, the proof for the existence of the external may ultimately emerge from our knowledge of it. Knowledge, insofar as it had earlier been defined by Descartes as indubitable and a product of good God, cannot, therefore be deceiving. Hence, the outside world exists."
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Descartes's "Mediations", 2004.
Critique and analysis of Descartes's argument from dreaming, his evil-demon argument, and his cogito argument.
843 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 30.95
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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."
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Renee Descartes' Third Meditation Circular, 2006.
Considers whether Renee Descartes' argument in the "Meditations" is actually an argument for the existence of God.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 0 sources, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Renee Descartes' "Meditations", and explains that within this writing, he justifies his faith in reason by a circuitous route. The paper explains that Descartes accomplishes this by first raising all of the epistemological doubts of skeptics - and then vindicating his faith in reason by advancing an argument for trusting certain aspects of our rationality. In the process, as far as he is concerned, he manages to: ... "tear down everything and begin anew from the foundations [in order to] ... establish ... firm and lasting knowledge". The paper then goes on to argue that contrary to establishing his faith in reason, to a very large extent, the new foundation that Descartes erects, and pins his firm knowledge on, is his certainty of the existence of God.
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Descartes on God, 2006.
A discussion on whether either of Descartes's two arguments for the existence of God successfully prove that God exists.
2,234 words (approx. 8.9 pages), 7 sources, APA, $ 69.95
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Abstract
This paper covers both Descartes's ontological argument and cosmological argument for the existence of God as well as their counter arguments. It also looks at other philosophers such as Kierkegaard to Kant and their arguments for the existence or non-existence of God. The Cartesian Circle is also discussed along with the 'free will defence argument' and self-originating principles.
From the Paper
"The reasoning behind why Descartes decided to try to prove the existence of God stems from his need to do so. Descartes needed to prove the existence of God in order to back up his theory of logic and reasoning and in particular his notions of 'clear and distinct ideas'. These clear and distinct ideas that Descartes has stem from his statement that if he can "perceive something very clearly and distinctly" , then he "can not but believe it to be true" . Indeed Descartes wants God "as a guarantor of the truth of any proposition that anyone...find indubitable while having it distinctly in mind" . Furthermore, Descartes is compelled to try to prove the existence of God because he is incredibly doubtful of everything around him in the exterior world. In fact Descartes' rationalism and constant doubting of his knowledge as a form of his logical reasoning leads hims to the conclusion that he cannot actually imagine an exterior world. "
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Rene Descartes, 2005.
This paper discusses the Wax Argument of Rene Descartes.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper argue that Descartes' argument of the mind having ascendancy over the body is correct from a scientific point of view. The author points out that the mind is made up of electrical impulses and energy is essentially infinite. The paper agrees with Descartes ultimate conclusion although some of Descartes methods for arriving at that conclusion are not considered valid.
From the Paper
"In this essay, I argue that Descartes' argument of the mind having ascendancy over the body is correct. Speaking strictly from a scientific point of view, of course, Descartes is correct. The body is flesh, and therefore finite. The mind, however, is made up of electrical impulses and energy is essentially infinite. Therefore, long after the body has gone the impulses that made up the mind will have converted into another form of energy and still exist in our world's system."
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