Beliefs Beyond Doubt, What All Other Respond To Rene...

Rene Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy is considered to be one of the most important works in modern philosophy. John Locke, Immanuel Kant, and countless other philosophers wrote largely in response to Descartes. Yet there are serious doubts related to the treatises major argument. In the Objections and Replies, a collection of objections to the work along with Descartes personal and often very detailed replies to said objections, the philosopher Antoine Arnauld raises the question of whether or not Descartes was guilty of circular reasoning. In this essay, I will examine the arguments that Descartes used to reach the works major conclusion, the objection made by Arnauld, and the validity of the treatise in light of Descartes†¦show more content†¦In Descartes words, â€Å"How often, asleep at night, am I convinced... that I am here in my dressing gown, sitting by the fire—when in fact I am lying undressed in bed!† (Descartes, 12) This possibility grants us the ability to call into doubt everything that is brought to us by the senses. If we are simply dreaming, then everything that we think we hear, see, smell, feel, and taste is only an illusion of sorts. The implications of this argument are extremely far-reaching. Consider all of the things that we experience through the senses—all are now subject to doubt, and because of the methods that Descartes has outlined, he can no longer accept belief in them to be justified. As powerful as the Dream argument may be, especially considering Descartes methods, it still leaves possible belief in a great deal of things. Even if the things that we dream are illusion, they may still resemble things that are real. Further, we may still have knowledge of things even if we are only dreaming the experience of them. Mathematics, for example, is still possible. If one dreams that they have completed a mathematics problem on a piece of paper, the solution may still hold true regardless of the fact that the person only dreamed them. Descartes writes, â€Å"For whether I am awake or asleep, two and three added together are five...† (Descartes, 14) To add a greater degree of doubt about his beliefs, Descartes offers a secondShow MoreRelatedRene Descartes s Philosophy On The Mind3358 Words   |  14 Pages Introduction to Philosophy October 23, 2014 Renà © Descartes Descartes is one of the most influential and well-known philosophers of all time. The idea he is most famous for is his explanation on the mind. Renà © Descartes is often credited with being the â€Å"Father of Modern Philosophy.† This title is justified due both to his break with the traditional Scholastic-Aristotelian philosophy prevalent at his time and to his development and promotion of the new, mechanistic sciences. He wasRead MoreLanguage and the Destiny of Man12402 Words   |  50 PagesÅžtefan Afloroaei / Descartes and the â€Å"metaphysical dualism† Descartes and the â€Å"metaphysical dualism†: Excesses in interpreting a classic* Al.I. Cuza University of Iasi Abstract The article focuses on one of the most serious accusations brought against Descartes and modern philosophy, namely â€Å"the dualism of substance†. The accusers claim that the human body and soul were viewed as completely separate; consequently, their relationship as such and the united being of man become incomprehensible. AsRead MorePhilosophy of the Mind2347 Words   |  10 Pages    The   Philosophy   of   Mind       Introduction The philosophy of body and mind has been a highly debated topic since its launch in the 17th centaury by Rene Descartes. Since then, many philosophers have written on the subject matter and many theories have emerged as a product of this lively debate. In this essay, I will analyze and critique a selection of philosophers who ponder on the body-mind topic since the 17th century, and ultimately evaluate Paul M. Chruchland’sRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesPrinter/Binder: Courier/Kendallville Cover Printer: Courier/Kendalville Text Font: 10.5/12 ITC New Baskerville Std Credits and acknowledgments borrowed from other sources and reproduced, with permission, in this textbook appear on the appropriate page within text. Copyright  © 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. This publication is protected by Copyright, and permission should be obtained from