descartes_Meditation 1 & 2

Who is known as the father of modern philosophy?:

Descartes he was philosopher

What is epistemology?

the study of knowledge

What is the philosophical theory of rationalism?

Knowledge is obtainable through reason alone it is a prior (prior to experience)

What is the philosophical theory of empiricism?

Knowledge is obtainable primarily (or solely) through experience it is known posteriori (from experience)

Was Descartes a rationalist or an empiricist?

Decartes was a rationalist

What is the JTB account of knowledge? (I.e., What does JTB stand for?)

only a belief that is justified and true counts as knowledge. Knowledge is justified true belief

What counts as justifiable knowledge for Descartes?

justifiable knowledge is completely beyond doubt

What was Descartes’ strategy for discovering knowledge?

1) he was believed false things in the past and he only want to believe true things, so he calls everything he “know” into doubt 2)if anything survives doubt, then it is certain and can be used as foundation for other knowledge

What is foundationalism?

if anything survives doubt then it is certain and can we used as a foundation for other knowledge.

What were the three levels of doubt that we discussed? Be able to explain each level. What, does each level call into question? What if anything, survives each level? Why does it survive?

1) level 1 doubt: sense deception our sensed sometimes deceive us.especially with small and distant objects 2)level 2 doubt: I should not believe in everything that survived the first level because could be dreaming then I could not be sure that these hands are mine or I am wearing this shirt 3) level 3 doubt: there could be god/demon implanting my ideas of time, shape size, etc. into my mind, this not likely but it is possible if I can’t be certain that I am not being trickled their I cannot be sure of even mathematics

How does Descartes know that he is not essentially a body? What is the one thing that Descartes believes cannot be separated from him?

That an be doubt and he needs to be certain

What is Descartes’ argument for why knowing I exist is beyond any possible doubt? (This was the 5-step argument on the handout.)

1) assume everything I believe is false( assume doubt level 3) 2) then I have no body and no senses. Even my mathematical believer are incorrect 3) even if my belief and thoughts are mistaken, I must exist as a being with (mistake) beliefs and thoughts 4) so, if an evil demon is deceiving me , I must still exist b/c I am being deceived 5) therefore, if I am thinking , I must exist

What is mind-body dualism and why might it be important philosophically?

mental properties are not reducible to physalis properties the mind and body are two different substances its important it explains how my body could be destroyed but part of me (my mind or soul) could continue to exist

What is solipsism and how did it relate to Descartes’ system?

His standard for knowledge may be too high seemingly the only thing I can know is; I exist as a mind. This is known a solipsistic if he is correct I ,away not be able to know who I am what I cave about or who I love