Scepticism - Descartes

How does Descartes attempt to address the scepticism about his own existence?

• He does this through his meditations

• He begins by doubting everything he could possibly question

• He doubts his senses, physical body and the external world

What is the topic of Descartes’ second meditation?

Cogito ergo sum - this means I think therefore I am and this is where he discovers one indubitable truth

• The fact that he is thinking proves his existence as a thinking being

What is the topic on Descartes’ third and fifth meditation?

God’s existence - he argues that the idea of a perfect being must have been placed in his mind by such a being

What is the topic of Descartes’ first mediation?

Radical doubt - Descartes starts by doubting everything he can including the reliability of his senses

• Even the truths of mathematics

What is the topic of Descartes’ forth meditation?

God as a non deceiver - Descartes concludes after the existence of benevolent God is established, that God would not deceive him by creating an illusory world

What is the topic of Descartes’ final mediation?

Existence of material objects - Descartes argues that the very nature of his ideas about material things

• Things such as the objects extension or motion

What are the essential properties of God that Descartes needs to sustain his arguments?

• Perfection

• Infinite nature

• Existence

How does Descartes argue that we are not dreaming?

He uses the very act of thinking, specifically the act of doubting

• This serves as proof of his existence

• Again, linked to the Cogito

According to Descartes, how do we know the essential nature of physical objects?

He argues that we know the essential nature of physical objects through reasoning and clear and distinct ideas

What does Cogito Ergo Sum mean?

It translates to “I think therefore I am”

• A quote famously used by Rene Descartes