Descartes Theory Of Reasoning - 1184 Words

After first explaining Antoine Arnauld’s objection to Descartes’ circular reasoning, I will be presenting a response given by Descartes. Then I will attempt to consider, on behalf of Arnauld, if the response is of adequacy, then I shall decide which view offers the best account. I suspect, however, that no matter what kind of response Descartes is to give, nothing will be able to save him from the torment of the so called ‘Cartesian circle’. In objection to Descartes’ reasoning behind his attempt to establish that what is true, is clear and distinct perception, Antoine Arnauld argues his reasoning is circular (Arnauld AT VII 124–125). Before explaining why circularity is evident, I will first consider what Descartes’ ‘truth rule’ really consists of. After establishing ‘cogito ergo sum’, Descartes uses the same logical terminology in which the cogito was established, to attempt to find other truths in the external world (Descartes AT VII 35). However, as there is no causality between cogito and external truths, some further proof is required for Descartes. This is at the point Descartes introduces the argument for Gods existence and hence, we get the truth rule established. He argues that, God exists and is not a deceiver, in which case any clear and distinct ideas must be true (Descartes AT VII 52). This is where the problem of circularity arises, as Descartes assumes the id ea of God to be true because it is innate, clear and distinct, and then sets out to assume otherShow MoreRelatedDescartes Meditation Iii1297 Words   |  6 PagesPhilosophy Descartes tries to prove the existence of God in the third meditation. He does this by coming up with several premises that eventually add up to a solid argument. First, I will explain why Descartes ask the question, does god exist? And why does Descartes think he needs such and argument at this point in the text. Secondly, I will explain, in detail, the arguments that Descartes makes and how he comes to the conclusion that God does exist. Next, I will debate some of Descartes premisesRead MoreEssay on Mediations of First Philosophy by Descartes1296 Words   |  6 PagesMediations of First Philosophy by Descartes In the â€Å"Mediations of First Philosophy† Descartes tries to prove the existence of God in the third meditation. He does this by coming up with several premises that eventually add up to a solid argument. First, I will explain why Descartes ask the question, does god exist? And why does Descartes think he needs such and argument at this point in the text. Secondly, I will explain, in detail, the arguments that Descartes makes and how he comes to the conclusionRead MoreThe Scientific Theory Of Science1489 Words   |  6 Pagesrationality and reasoning. Scientific methods that are used to establish rationality is due to the simple, general and rigorous explanations of the phenomena, (Diamond, 1998). This essay will explore the reasons to the extent of the role of science in reason, displaying perspectives from respected philosophers, politicians and scientists throughout time. Politician rather than scientist, Francis Bacon (1561-1627) was the man who made a revolutionary mark in the scientific world and reasoning, regardlessRead MoreCompare and contrast the significance for psychology of Descartes and Kant1568 Words   |  7 Pagessignificance for psychology of Descartes and Kant Descartes and Kant, both of them are famous philosophers and they are well known for their contributions to philosophy. At the same time, they have great influence on the development of psychology. I am going to compare their significance of psychology. By observing some mechanical things, Descartes had an idea that human and animal work like automata. (Klein, 1970) This idea became a basic concept of Descartes’ theories of the brain and visual perceptionRead More Renà © Descartes Argument on the Existence of God Essay1528 Words   |  7 PagesRenà © Descartes Argument on the Existence of God The problem with Renà © Descartes argument about the existence of God has to do with his rationalist deductive reasoning. Descartes deduces that truth about the existence of God lies within his idea of a perfect God and Gods essence (as a perfect being who must exist in order to be perfect). A rationalist philosopher, Descartes discounts human knowledge as a product of our sensory data (our senses) but supports the epistemological stance thatRead MoreDescartes Second Argument For The Existence Of God1642 Words   |  7 PagesPaper: Descartes’ Second Argument for the Existence of God As with almost all of Descartes inquiries the roots of his second argument for the existence of God begin with his desire to build a foundation of knowledge that he can clearly and distinctly perceive. At the beginning of the third meditation Descartes once again recollects the things that he knows with certainty. The problem arises when he attempts to clearly and distinctly understand truths of arithmetic and geometry. Descartes has enoughRead MoreThe Existence of God1317 Words   |  6 Pagesdevelopment of sciences, we still do not have a definitive answer to the question does God exist? Among many philosophers and scholars who have tried to answer this question, we shall look upon Rene Descartes theory on the existence of God. In terms of believers and non-believers, Descartes would be one of the believers. Before we go any further, we must ponder upon several questions. What is God? Does God exist? If such God does exist, then where does this being come from? Why do believersRead More The Existence Of God Essay1307 Words   |  6 Pagesdevelopment of sciences, we still do not have a definitive answer to the question does God exist? Among many philosophers and scholars who have tried to answer this question, we shall look upon Rene Descartes theory on the existence of God. In terms of believers and non-believers, Descartes would be one of the believers. Before we go any further, we must ponder upon several questions. What is God? Does God exist? If such God does exist, then where does this being come from? Why do believersRead MoreEssay about Rationalism and Empiricism1486 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophers of epistemology are Rene Descartes and David Hume, the former being a rationalist, and the latter an empiricist. In this paper I will attempt to give an understanding of both rationalism and empiricism, show the ideas and contributions each of the men made to their respective schools, and hopefully give my personal reasoning why one is more true than the other. Rationalism was developed by several important philosophers all around the 17th century. Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibnitz are allRead MoreDescartes Reason Of Knowledge1675 Words   |  7 PagesDescartes Reasons of Knowledge It was once said by Renà © Descartes that, â€Å"if you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.† In other words, when one wants to pursue the knowledge of this world, one must be able to question possibilities before coming to a conclusion. Throughout the Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes discusses his thoughts in a coherent manner. He strongly states that ‘true knowledge’ is gained