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Descartes' "Meditations", 2002.
This paper examines Descartes' "Meditations" and his arguments for the existence of God.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Descartes' Cartesian arguments for the existence of God. The author points out the claims that this argument is flawed. The author structures an argument that will support our claim for scientific knowledge.
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Descartes' "Meditations", 1973.
This paper discusses the thinking of Descartes as exemplified in his "Meditations", focusing on the existence of God.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 2 sources, $ 47.95
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From the Paper
"Descartes, in his "Meditations", attempts to find one thing that he can know with certainty. He is impressed with false beliefs he has held since childhood. He wonders that he can hold an opinion to be true that later he regards as false.
He decides to adopt a doubting frame of mind to free himself of the methods of thought he has up to now been accustomed. He will reject everything he previously held as true as long as it contained any element of falseness in it. Then if he can find one thing of which he is certain, he can start anew and build from the foundations up.
Descartes is forty years old and living in Holland. He has put off this endeavor until he has reached a mature age but an age when he can postpone it no longer. He now has the necessary solitude to begin his pursuit."
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Descartes' "Meditations on First Philosophy", 1990.
This paper examines Descartes' "Meditations on First Philosophy", specifically the objections to the First, Second, and Sixth Meditations about the existence of God and man.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 4 sources, $ 39.95
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From the Paper
"This study will examine Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy, specifically the objections to the First, Second, and Sixth Meditations.
There are a number of objections to the arguments in the Meditations, some of which are technical and perhaps trivial, some of which are significant and which cut to the very heart of Descartes' arguments on existence.
Descartes argues, for example, "That which we clearly and distinctly understand to belong to the true and immutable nature of anything, its essence or form, can be truly affirmed of that thing. But after we have with sufficient accuracy investigated the nature of God, we clearly and distinctly understand that to exist belongs to his true nature. Therefore we can with truth affirm of God that He exists" . "
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Descartes' Meditations, 2006.
This paper argues that Descartes' evil genius theory reflects the same circular logic he used to prove the existence of God.
1,700 words (approx. 6.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Rene Descartes used doubt to prove his beliefs to be true as presented in his most famous work "Meditations on First Philosophy" in which he enters into his most radical phase of methodological doubt when he introduces his evil genius hypothesis. The author points out that Descartes uses the evil genius hypothesis to help illustrate his total abandonment of his old beliefs, but he does not start at scratch when he tears down his thoughts; he decides to adopt the opposite of the ones he held before he started his experiment. The paper relates that Descartes proves the existence of God by deciding that everything he clearly and distinctly perceives as true must be certain because having ascertained that he exists and that he is a thinking thing.
From the Paper
"There is however, the difficulty raised with the case of deception by God, an example of this being geometry and arithmetic. These truths seem clear and distinct to Descartes, but there is still the possibility that he is deceived with respect to them. If God can deceive him of his clear and distinct perceptions, perhaps even the cogito can be cast back into doubt. Descartes seems to want to escape the problems involved in clear and distinct perceptions by relying on God's existence to make them true. However, Descartes also seems to want to prove God's existence by claiming it as a clear and distinct perception. Welcome to the Cartesian Circle."
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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's Meditations, 2003.
Examines his attempts to resolve key philosophical questions.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 1 source, $ 47.95
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Abstract
Discusses basic philosophical questions, including "Do I exist?" and "Does God exist?" Examines Descartes's justification of the existence of God, his line of linear thinking, cause and effect argument, and use of thought to justify his own existence.
From the Paper
"Rene Descartes, in his "Meditations on First Philosophy" endeavors to resolve the most enduring philosophical questions ever to challenge man, namely: Do I exist? And: Does God exist? His second and third meditations, translated by Donald A. Cress, ..."
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Descartes? ?First Meditation?, 2002.
This paper discusses Descartes? First Meditation which complements dualism.
690 words (approx. 2.8 pages), 1 source, $ 24.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the skeptical arguments of the First Meditation avoid doubting rational belief and knowledge. This paper states that the belief in God is an important part of Descartes? defense of dualism and presents itself as a truth in the First Meditation. The author believes that Descartes makes several statements that would lead one to conclude that it is possible just to know things versus knowing things for certain.
From the Paper
"In the argument from dreaming, it is possible to doubt composite things in the dream, but he states that he cannot doubt the simple and universal parts from which they are constructed such as shape, quantity, size, and time because these are derived from real experience, much like paintings that draw on real things. Therefore, we cannot doubt studies based on simple things such as arithmetic and astronomy, but can doubt studies based on composite things such as medicine, astronomy or physics."
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Descartes and Meditation, 2002.
What Descartes learns from his ideas in Meditation Three in" Meditation on First Philosophy".
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 1 source, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This three-page undergraduate paper discusses the reason behind Descartes' examination of his ideas in Meditation Three in Meditation on First Philosophy and what he learns from it.
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Descartes's "Meditation V", 2002.
A discussion of Descartes's proof for God's existence, as defined in his "Meditation V".
1,546 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper details Descartes's philosophical attempt at an ontological "proof" for the existence of God. Included is an outline of the intellectual and political times in which Descartes wrote, with a brief discussion of the possible impact this had on Descartes's arguments and focus. The history of ontological arguments and their validity is also discussed, as are the criticisms of such arguments.
From the Paper
"Ren? Descartes was born in 1596 during a period of great scientific and religious upheaval. Scientific theories which had stood at the very core of society for over thirteen hundred years were being challenged by scientists such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei. They argued against the traditional Ptolemaic model of the Universe proposing instead a heliocentric model which suggested the Earth was not central but, along with other celestial bodies, circled the sun. Not surprisingly, this theory directly conflicted with Church doctrines which propagated the centrality of mankind in God?s eyes and, consequently, a wide-spread conflict ensued between religion and science. The implications of this conflict led to a rise in speculation during these times regarding man?s place in the world and God in relation to man."
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Descartes Meditation IV, 2006.
A discussion whether Descartes was successful in showing "the existence of material things, and the real distinction between mind and body?" (Meditation VI)
1,635 words (approx. 6.5 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 53.95
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Abstract
An in-depth look at "Mediation VI", the work of Descartes, in which he argues that the philosopher himself is distinct from his body and can exist without his body and the idea of "thinking body" is simply self-contradictory and the interconnected nature of the relationship between the mind and the body.
From the Paper
"This explains the false pains experienced by amputees and conditions like dropsy, where the afflicted continue to drink and, because they are misled by the symptoms of thirst or a need for their beverage of choice, and eventually die from the disease of over-drinking. (61) Thus, it may be said that Descartes systematically proves the mind/body split and the existence of material objects, but only in the narrow terms by which he sets his debate in the "Meditations." For a modern reader, the Christian and non-scientific (although mathematical) terms of "Meditation VI" will likely be unsatisfactory
The question of relationship between a mind and a body is critical to what Descartes means by a human being and the human condition within the framework of his philosophic, rationalist discourse. He asks the question of how can minds and bodies exist together, appear to be the same, yet operate in separate ways, and constitute separate material essences, in the sense that the body can err, but the mind is a product of God? "
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Descartes' "Meditation's on First Philosophy", 2000.
2,500 words (approx. 10.0 pages), 1 source, $ 75.95
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Abstract
A critical examination of Descarte's method of systematic doubt, especially with reference to St. Augustine and other philosophers of antiquity.
From the Paper
"One of Descartes? most famous and influential philosophical writings is his Meditations on First Philosophy. In this work, Descartes attempted to apply the rational inductive methods of science, and particularly of mathematics, to philosophy. Before his time, philosophy had been dominated by the method of Scholasticism, which was entirely based on comparing and contrasting the views of established authorities. Rejecting this method, Descartes determined to hold nothing true until he had first established secure grounds for believing it to be true."
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"Meditations" ( Descartes ), 1999.
Analyzes the philosopher's development of his theory of rational reality based on the meditation on a lump of wax.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 2 sources, $ 71.95
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From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine the section of Descartes's Meditations in which he develops a theory of mind by means of meditation upon a lump of wax. The plan of the research will be to set forth the context for a discussion that connects a lump of wax to philosophical theory, and then to discuss how he formulates a theory of rational (i.e., mind-based) reality that is the standard for measuring human experience of the material world. In other words, by what Descartes ultimately declares to be known about the wax, he arrives at a theory of innate mental concepts, which seems intended to explain in a methodical and systematic way what is real, or most real, about the physical world, or anyway the human experience of the physical world. Indeed, the fact that the title of the work as a whole is Meditations is a clue to Descartes's application of speculative ..."
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"Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy" by Rene Descartes, 2002.
An analysis of the book outlining the method of hyperbolic doubt and how it changed the relationship between philosophy and theology.
760 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 27.95
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Abstract
Descartes aims to define a method of objective thinking by attempting to apply the precision of mathematics to all fields of knowledge. The paper explains that in prescribing this method for reasoning, Descartes laid the foundation for modern day psychology. Having determined a method of arriving at ?true? knowledge, Descartes strives to ?seek answers? to questions pertaining to the very nature of existence. This paper analyzes the book and describes its influence on the world.
From the Paper
"Descartes? Discourse on the ?Method for Conducting One?s Reason Well? is his attempt to apply the precision of mathematics to all fields of knowledge. Descartes? Method involved regarding the value of formal education in largely teaching the languages ??necessary for the understanding of classical texts?? (Part One, p 3), while the pursuit of true knowledge required independent thinking to ??distinguish the true from the false, in order to see my way clearly in my actions?? (Part One, p6)."
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Descartes and The Nature of Existence, 2002.
Discusses Descartes' two meditations on the Certainty of Existence and the presence of God.
1,420 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 47.95
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Abstract
This paper shows how Descartes, in two meditations, contemplates the nature of existence and knowledge. It discusses the question that prompted Descartes in pursuing his two meditations "How can we know what is real?" It shows that Descartes' problem lay within connecting the properties created by God, the mental and the physical.
From the Paper
"Descartes examines the nature of existence itself, through analysing the senses, the line between the real and imaginary and the questions basis on which we claim knowledge. In his conclusion of these meditations he only surfaces with one clear statement of which he can be entirely certain of: ?I am, I exist? suggesting that an ability to think, reason, believe and doubt proves that we must exist on some level for this process to occur, even if there is no outside world beyond our own mind."
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The Devil in "Meditations on First Philosophy", 2002.
Shows the problem of the evil demon scenario in Descartes' "Meditations on First Philosophy".
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 1 source, $ 62.95
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Abstract
In Meditation One of his "Meditations on First Philosophy", Rene Descartes introduces his "evil Demon" as a device in his logical proof for the coherence of his intellect and thereby the basis of his argument to extend his famous deduction of individual existence - "I think therefore I am" - beyond the boundaries of individual consciousness. However, the "evil Demon" scenario undermines Descartes' argument as the Meditations progress in that it represents a challenge to his argument for the existence of God and thereby for the assertion of the certainty of sensory apprehension in Meditation Six. Thus, it will be argued that although the device of the "evil Demon" functions effectively in the assertion of radical doubt, it also undermines Descartes' argument in the rest of his text.
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