descartes first meditations

epistemology

the theory of knowledge, (what knowledge is, the grounds of knowledge) especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion.

metaphysics

a branch of philosophy that investigates the ultimate nature of reality

-inc existence, time, space, identity, free will, causation and abstract objects

heuristics

Mental shortcuts or "rules of thumb" that often lead to a solution (but not always) like check extreme cases, checking for counterexamples

scepticism

the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge

scepticism origins

goes back to greeks (piero)

peronian scepticism - advocates suspending judgement (rejects possibilities of knowing anything)

cartesian scapticism

justify belief theres an external mind, suspension of all beliefs

Solipcism

Reality is in the mind, the belief that the only someone can be sure of is hiself or herself, true knowledge of anything else cannot be proven and doesn't exist

Descartes

(1596-1650) French philosopher, sought to establish knowledge on firm foundations, known for cartesian revolution, took rationalist approach

Cartesian Revolution

a shift from metaphysics (what there is) to epistemology (what we know)

Rationalist Approach

assumes that the truth can best be discovered by reasoned contemplation

descartes method

radical doubt - dismantle all beliefs only on indubitable truths ("clear and distinct ideas"

Descartes First Meditation

everything can be called into doubt

rollercoaster of doubt

3 main stages of sceptical argument

1. argument from illusion

2. argument from dreaming

3. evil genius argument

argument from illusion

1. senses sometimes decieve us (optical illusions/errors)

2. we should never fully trust a mechanism that even once leads up to error

therefore, we should never fully trust out sences

problems with argument from illusion

1. should we distrust all sensory info - we only recognise these errors by trusting other senses

2. even descartes says you can trust a mechanism that can lead to error (except sleeping)

3. the argument may be self-undermining or too strong

argument from dreaming

1. I cant trust my senses when I'm dreaming

2. I have no way of telling whether I'm dreaming or not

therefore, I cant trust my senses

problems with argument from dreaming

1. if youre awake you have to know you're awake, so you know you're not dreaming

2. things dream represent are real - can think you're awake when dreaming

3. still stronger than argument from illusion, cause any experience could be dreampt

evil genius argument (god's evil)

1. for all I konw the evil genius exists

2. if the evil genius exists, anything I believe is false

therefore, idk anything

responses to descartes first meditions

1. descartes acknowledges force of sceptical arguments but them as method, not end

2. scepticism is a tool to find indubitable truth not permant stance

3. "rollercoaster structure" - each sceptical worry is followed by possible escape then deeper worry