08 - The Cartesian Circle

when considering the power of god to deceive him, what can descartes doubt

whether his ideas are certain

how does descartes argue he is certain god exists

because he is certain of what he clearly and distinctly perceives

byt why is descartes certain of what he clearly and distinctly perceives

only because god exists

where does the issue arise with this argument

descartes cannot rely on clear and distinct ideas before proving god’s existence, but his proof of god’s existence relies on clear and distinct ideas

how might the cartesian circle objection misunderstand descartes: what could he be arguing

without knowing god, i can be certain of what i clearly and distinctly perceive but only when i focus on that specific thought. once i know god exists, i can know the general principle that whatever is clear and distinct is true

essay issues for descartes’ intuition deduction thesis

unsupported assumptions in the cogito (assumes thinking things must exists, not analytically true // also assumes the ‘I’). Later arguments all rely on existence of God but issues of cartesian circle and assumptions made (e.g. a cause must have as much reality as its effect), we can ignore three waves of doubt IF we are direct realists (least crucial argument)