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Descartes’ “Meditations”

Descartes’ “Meditations”. Rene Descartes (1596-1650) French Philosopher & Mathematician. Descartes. Circle. Cartesian coordinate system. x 2 + y 2 = 9. “Reduce” geometry to algebra. Meditations on First Philosophy 1641. Impressed by method of science & math.

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Descartes’ “Meditations”

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  1. Descartes’ “Meditations” Rene Descartes (1596-1650) French Philosopher & Mathematician

  2. Descartes Circle Cartesian coordinate system x2 + y2 = 9 “Reduce” geometry to algebra.

  3. Meditations on First Philosophy1641 • Impressed by method of science & math. • Disgusted by philosophy. • Seek a solid foundation for beliefs: • Philosophy needs a method. • What can I know with absolutecertainty?

  4. Meditations • Personal endeavor: search for certainty • Like personal search for God St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) “Spiritual Exercises” (1551)

  5. Meditations • Envisioned the whole process while sitting by a fire in November, 1619.

  6. Meditations • “The general demolition of my opinions.” • Radical doubt: withhold assent from any of his beliefs that can be doubted. • Architectural metaphor.

  7. Four Methods of Doubt • My senses can mislead me.

  8. Four Methods of Doubt • My senses can mislead me. • I might be crazy.

  9. Shakespeare, MacBeth V, v: “Life…is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

  10. Four Methods of Doubt • My senses can mislead me. • I might be crazy. • I might be dreaming.

  11. Surrealism

  12. Four Methods of Doubt • My senses can mislead me. • I might be crazy. • I might be dreaming. • An evil genius might be fooling me.

  13. “The Matrix”

  14. Demolishing my Beliefs

  15. Is anything left standing?

  16. Reading for next class: • Descartes’ Second Meditation

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