Meditations of First Philosophy - René Descartes

First and Second Meditations

How does Descartes begin the First Meditation?

He starts by questioning all his previous beliefs, saying he ‘had accepted many false claims as true’ in the past and looks to find a foundation of certain knowledge

In what ways does Descartes doubt beliefs in the First Meditation?

• He observes that many beliefs come from senses that can be deceived (e.g. objects seeming smaller when far away)

• Seemingly certain beliefs could be untrue due to the possibility of dreaming

• His own thoughts could be deceived by a more powerful being (such as an evil demon), meaning even logically/certain beliefs may be untrue

What does Descartes conclude at the end of his First Meditation?

That he must doubt everything possible and suspend all beliefs until he can find something that is absolutely certain

What is the first certain truth Descartes finds in his Second Meditation?

Even if he is tricked, in order to be tricked and have his doubts, he must exist → ‘Cogito, ergo sum’/’Je pense, donc je suis’

How does Descartes use his certain truth to find other knowledge in his Second Meditation?

He knows that the mind can be known through thought alone (unlike body which may not be interacting with real things) → rebuilds knowledge from certainty of self as a thinking, concious being