Descartes' Discourse on Method Flashcards
René Descartes: Philosophical Context and Objectives
Profile of René Descartes:
Descartes is recognized as a pivotal early modern figure in the history of philosophy.
He is classified as a rationalist, emphasizing the role of reason as the primary source of knowledge.
His central project is to undertake a quest to establish a completely new foundation for human reason.
Perspective on Reason and Common Sense:
Descartes posits that all human beings naturally possess reason or common sense.
However, he observes that most people generally do not apply their reason well.
He notes that this lack of proper application is also true within the field of philosophy.
Academic Background:
Descartes held formal degrees in both jurisprudence (the study of law) and medicine.
The Cartesian Experiment in Knowing and Radical Doubt
Foundational Doubt:
Descartes’ "experiment in knowing" is predicated on the act of throwing all existing things and knowledge into doubt.
This is characterized as a radical, skeptical experiment in doubt intended to strip away uncertainties.
Objects of Examination:
Descartes identifies three primary areas that an individual can study to gain knowledge:
Books: Existing scholarship and literature.
The Outside/External World: Empirical observations and experiences in the world.
Oneself: Internal reflection to answer questions such as "Who am I?" and "What is knowable?"
The House Metaphor:
Descartes uses a structural metaphor for knowledge: one should treat their current knowledge like a house built on shaky foundations.
The methodology requires one to demolish everything and rebuild on solid foundations to ensure stability and truth.
Internal Focus:
To accomplish this reconstruction, Descartes emphasizes the need to begin from doubt, turning inward to examine the self rather than relying on external authorities.
The Four Rules of the Cartesian Method
Descartes outlines four specific rules for his method to ensure systematic progress in reasoning:
Rule 1: Evidence and Indubitability:
Refuse to accept anything as true that you do not clearly know to be true.
One must only accept that which is indubitable (impossible to doubt).
Rule 2: Analysis:
Divide each complex problem into as many smaller parts as possible. This process is referred to as "analysis."
Rule 3: Synthesis:
Approach thoughts in a strictly orderly way.
Build the path to knowledge upward, starting from the simplest units of analysis and moving toward more complex structures. This process is referred to as "synthesis."
Rule 4: Review and Recording:
Maintain careful track of all progress made during the experiment.
Review the building of the new foundation through reason to ensure nothing has been omitted.
The Framework of Provisional Morality
Rational for Morality:
Descartes acknowledges that while he is demolishing his beliefs to rebuild them, he still needs "another place to live in" for daily life.
Therefore, he develops a "provisional morality" to guide his actions during the transition.
Components of the Provisional Morality:
Legal and Social Conformity: Obey the laws and customs of one's own country.
Religious Consistency: Stick with established religion, specifically Catholicism in Descartes' case.
Moderation: Embrace moderate opinions and actively avoid extreme positions.
Resolution: Be constant, consistent, and resolute in decision-making once a path has been chosen.
Self-Control (Stoic Influence): Attempt to ‘conquer’ or alter oneself rather than attempting to change the world.
This is based on the philosophical stance that humans ultimately only have control over their own thoughts, a concept that harkens back to the Stoic philosophers.
Radical Doubt and the Discovery of the Self (The Cogito)
The Scope of Doubt:
Descartes demonstrates that we can cast doubt upon several things commonly assumed to be true:
Sense perceptions (which can be deceptive}.
Mathematical and logical reasoning (which could be flawed).
The existence of our own physical bodies.
The existence of the external world.
Proof of Existence (The Cogito):
Descartes asks why one cannot doubt their own existence.
He argues that the very act of doubting is a form of thinking.
Because doubting is occurring, there must be something that is doing the thinking.
This leads to his famous formula: "I think, therefore I am" ().
Philosophical Implications:
Descartes concludes that he is essentially a "thinking substance."
This establishes the significant body/soul dichotomy (Cartesian Dualism) in his philosophy.
Argument for the Existence of God
The Idea of Perfection:
Descartes notes that he possesses an idea of perfection—specifically, the idea of a being that is perfect and does not doubt.
Origin of the Idea:
Perfection cannot originate within human beings because humans are inherently imperfect (as demonstrated by the fact that humans doubt).
An imperfect cause cannot produce the effect of an idea of absolute perfection.
Conclusion on God:
Therefore, the idea of God (perfection) must exist within us as an innate idea placed there by a being that actually possesses that perfection.
Summary:
Who was René Descartes?
A key figure in early modern philosophy.
Known as a rationalist who believed reason is the main source of knowledge.
He wanted to create a new foundation for human understanding.
His View on Reason:
Everyone has the ability to reason or common sense.
Many people don’t use their reasoning effectively, including in philosophy.
Education Background:
He studied law and medicine.
How He Explored Knowledge (Radical Doubt):
He questioned everything he thought he knew to find what was truly certain.
What to Examine for Knowledge:
Books: What others have written.
The World Around Us: What we observe in life.
Ourselves: Introspection and understanding who we are.
House Metaphor for Knowledge:
Think of your knowledge like a house; if the foundation is weak, it needs to be rebuilt on solid ground.
Four Rules to Find Knowledge:
1. Evidence: Only accept what you know is true.
2. Analysis: Break down complex problems into smaller parts.
3. Synthesis: Organize your thoughts from simple to complex.
4. Review: Keep track of your progress and make sure nothing important is left out.
Provisional Morality:
While rethinking beliefs, Descartes created guidelines to live by, such as obeying laws, staying with his religion, and being moderate in views.
Discovering the Self (Cogito):
He explored why we can question our reality and concluded: if we can doubt, we must exist to do so.
This led to his famous statement: "I think, therefore I am."
God's Existence:
Descartes argued that our idea of a perfect being must come from a real being that is perfect, as imperfect beings (humans) cannot come up with the idea of perfection by themselves.
So, Descartes argues that humans have an innate idea of a perfect being, which he associates with God.
According to him, this idea of perfection cannot originate from flawed human beings, as they themselves are imperfect.
Therefore, for Descartes, the existence of an idea of a perfect being implies that there must be a real, perfect being that placed this idea in our minds.
In essence, he suggests that the concept of God as a perfect entity is proof of God's existence, since imperfect beings cannot conceive of what perfection is without the influence of a perfect being.