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“Cogito Ergo Sum”

“Cogito Ergo Sum”. “I think, therefore I am.”. Descartes (1596-1650). The first great modern philosopher, depending on who you ask… “…there was no such learning in the world as I had been led to hope.” Doubt everything

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“Cogito Ergo Sum”

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  1. “Cogito Ergo Sum” “I think, therefore I am.”

  2. Descartes (1596-1650) • The first great modern philosopher, depending on who you ask… • “…there was no such learning in the world as I had been led to hope.” • Doubt everything • Physicist of great repute, created analytic geometry, a faithful Catholic who wanted the church to pay attention in a time of scrutiny

  3. Doubt Everything • What it means to be a skeptic • Believed everything he knew came from the senses, and sensory experience is suspect • If you doubt everything, you risk going mad! • Is it real, or is it a dream? • There is NO absolute certainty: Dream Hypothesis • In that case, come to think of it, maybe there isn’t a God? • What then? Demon Hypothesis. • Reality is an illusion provided by a diabolical entity

  4. Cogito, Ergo Sum • I think therefore I am • Everything could be questioned, but what is the one constant? Self awareness. • Wherever you go, there you are. • Through this certainty he tried to prove God exists. Hypocrite?!?!

  5. Cogito, Ergo Sum • Having proved his own existence (sigh of relief) and having proved God existed (incredible) he turned his sights on… THE NATURE OF REALITY

  6. Nature of Reality • Two elements compose reality: • Thinking substances – minds • Extended substances – physical bodies • Dualism! • Not ALL ideas come from sensory experience! Some ideas dwell within the mind… • Innate Ideas – notions of logic, morality, God • Rationalism – knowing things without experiencing them

  7. Other Ideas! • Hobbes: life is nasty, brutish and short • Rejected dualism • He’s a pessimist! (Materialism) • May have been an atheist, but you weren’t allowed to say so

  8. Hobbes • The Leviathan • A society without order • Without order society will self-destruct • He endorsed monarchies, but did not believe in divine right • Believed in a fascist society under a strong ruler chosen by the collective • Social Contract Theory • M.O. of mankind is rooted in selfishness • Altruism is a myth! Being charitable feeds your ego!

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