Meditation on First Philosophy Essay - 2565 Words

First Essay Assignment Question: Meditation on First Philosophy It can be seen that Descartes Meditations on first philosophy raised a lot of questions regarding the existence and nature of the self, the existence of God, the nature of truth and the possibility of error, and finally also the essence and existence of bodies along other things. Descartes did all this through the medium of his six meditations. Descartes from his very first Meditation, that of concerning things that can be called in to doubt, gives reasons on why we should doubt all things, material or non-material, to be not true. He further goes on to state that, we must continue to doubt these things as being not true as long as we have no other reason to believe in†¦show more content†¦Therefore, Descartes based solely on the strength of this belief, goes on to state that everything that he has a very clear and distinct idea of, he will perceive to be true. Descartes now realizing that in order to set up his argument, he has to prove whether or not God exist, and also whether or not if God is deceiving us. He starts off his proof by stating that there are three different types of ideas. These are as stated below: (1) Simple Ideas Ââ€" These ideas, which can be false and doubted upon, are basically the representation of things in the world. (2) Volitions/Affects/Emotions Ââ€" These ideas, which can also be false and doubted upon, add something to the representation of things in the world. (3) Judgements Ââ€" These are the only types of ideas that can be true or false. Descartes also goes a step further by stating that there are three possible sources of ideas according to him. Theses are as follows: (1) Adventitious Ideas Ââ€" These ideas are acquired from our senses. (2) Fabricated Ideas Ââ€" These ideas are produced by taking existing ideas that we already know and combining them to form newer unknown ideas (3) Innate Ideas Ââ€" These are not acquired through any form of sensory experience. Furthermore, according to Descartes Innate Ideas are also thought to have come from God himself. Having mentioned the possible sources of whereShow MoreRelatedDescartes Meditations On First Philosophy1318 Words   |  6 PagesQuestions November 2, 2017 Cogito Ergo Sum Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy and his questioning of our existence in reality is a question which philosophers have tackled throughout time. Cogito ergo sum or I think therefore I am, a phrase brought about by Descartes is the backbone of his whole philosophy of our existence in reality. As long as we are thinking things, we exist. When we look at this approach to our existence we must first deny that any sensory data that we receive is believableRead MoreDescartes Meditations On First Philosophy1961 Words   |  8 PagesIn Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy, I will be considering if Descartes resolution to the â€Å"dreaming argument† seems acceptable to trust. The First Meditation is where the â€Å"dreaming argument† is first mentioned and then gets resolved later in the Sixth Meditation and the Objections and Replies. I will be touching on the idea that our experiences could be dreaming experiences based on personal experiences and thoug hts I have had regarding this topic. Then I will go on to explain how it isRead MoreEssay on Rene Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy2121 Words   |  9 Pagescomes from within the mind. This is a single indisputable fact to build on that can be gained through individual reflection. While seeking true knowledge, Descartes writes his Six Meditations. 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The manifestationRead MoreDescartes Meditations On First Philosophy807 Words   |  4 PagesConner Ruhl Professor Copley Philosophy 1000C 4 May 2015 Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy Rene Descartes was the first great philosopher of the modern era, He had a new approach which was focused on scientific and mathematical truths. Descartes came to reject the scholastic tradition, one of which he was educated, due to his pursuit of mathematical and scientific truth. Much of Descartes work was done to secure advancement of human knowledge through the use of the natural sciencesRead MoreDescartes Meditations On First Philosophy1079 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes argues for the ideas and philosophical beliefs behind skepticism. In his writings, he describes the fallibility and importance of the body of man and through extension the senses with which we observe the world. This paper will first show that within Descartes’ writings the body is an extension of the mind. Secondly, this paper will prove that the senses are a false form of understanding which leads to the deception of the mind. FinallyR ead MoreDescartes Meditations On First Philosophy1536 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"What therefore did I formerly think I was? A man, of course. But what is a man?† (Descartes 340). This question that Descartes addresses in Meditations on First Philosophy is important because it outlines his core philosophical view in his work. His philosophy primarily focuses on dualism, which is the concept that there is another world that exists with ideal forms and is separate from the world of perception. The part of dualism that Descartes focuses his work on is the distinction between theRead MoreDescartes Meditations On First Philosophy1080 Words   |  5 PagesDescartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy, God is not mentioned until the third meditation. Descartes point of view on God simply claims his existence through the act of being. According to his claim, God must, essentially, exist as well as being an outcome of His own creation. Descartes was greatly interested in the i dea that God’s being promoted an external force that controlled all beings that supported his presence. Descartes declarations, presented in his Meditations on First Philosophy, wereRead MoreDescartes Meditations Of First Philosophy857 Words   |  4 PagesChristopher Joao Philosophy- 201 Mr. Jurkiewicz 4 March 2016 Descartes’ - Meditation #2 Rene Descartes was a French philosopher born in 1596. He is considered by many the father of modern philosophy and continues to have tremendous influence in the philosophical world to this day. The book, Meditations of First Philosophy, consist of six meditations and describes one meditation per day for six days. In meditation two, he claims that we have better knowledge of our own minds than of the physical