EMP-essay on Descartes method of doubt

Intro

Descartes’ Method of Doubt gives reasons to doubt all beliefs in order to establish a new, certain foundation independent of the senses. Doubt is a condition for this, not the aim.

Paragraph 1- sensory doubt

begins by encouraging meditator to questioning sensory beliefs, eg accepted many false beliefs in childhood. senses sometimes deceive, so cannot be trusted. Eg bent stick in water, judgement resolves. Seemingly certain beliefs doubted through the dreaming argument, as awake vs dreaming indistinguishable

paragraph 2-seek wider doubt

Some beliefs eg mathematical truths, appear to escape this doubt /insists we must reject all beliefs to ensure none are false, basket of apples analogy.

paragraph 3- achieve wider doubt

deceiving god who affects reasoning not just senses for mathematical. mathematical about possible features of universe so only reasoning involved. Hatfield- insert false thoughts or defective design. less powerful original cause more likely deceivable

paragraph 4-aim

aim not scepticism, functions to suspend previous beliefs to create new foundation for certain beliefs, contrast to classical scepticism as uses doubt to rebuild

paragraph 5- form of certainty sought

absolute certainty, not just about bringing beliefs closer to facts, a philosophical enquiry, find right source for metaphysical knowledge-Hatfield