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Rationalism of Descartes

Overview. Descartes' argument in support of rationalismNotion of innate ideasProblem of Skepticism in epistemologyCartesian ProjectCartesian approach (method) in response to skepticismDescartes' systematic doubt and its purposeResults of Cartesian epistemologyDualism

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Rationalism of Descartes

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    1. Rationalism of Descartes Dr. Amir Salehi

    2. Overview Descartes’ argument in support of rationalism Notion of innate ideas Problem of Skepticism in epistemology Cartesian Project Cartesian approach (method) in response to skepticism Descartes’ systematic doubt and its purpose Results of Cartesian epistemology Dualism & Mind-Body Problem Descartes’ argument in support of Dualism Descartes’ arguments in support of God Descartes’ response to his systematic doubt (the existence of material world) Quiz

    3. Descartes’ argument in support of rationalism P 1: Two objects are different if experience can show that the qualities of objects are different (empiricist view) P 2: Experience shows that liquid wax and solid wax have different qualities C: Liquid wax and solid wax are different objects

    4. Notion of innate ideas In accordance with the rationalist view, there are representations or ideas in the mind that do not have empirical origins (a priori representations). Rationalists consider the possibility that humans are born with these types of ideas.

    5. Problem of Skepticism in epistemology Knowledge is not possible due to the fact that all knowledge remains uncertain. Aspects of uncertainty in epistemology: No knowledge is definite No knowledge can be justified

    6. Cartesian Project The purpose of Cartesian epistemology is to develop a “new philosophy” (a new system of thinking for philosophizing as such). “This new system of thought” should be able to achieve the certainty of knowledge / to withstand the tests and challenges of skepticism.

    7. Cartesian approach (method) in response to skepticism Descartes: Geometry provides an ideal model for developing a new system of thinking in Philosophy. Authorities should have no place in a philosophical inquiry as they have no place in Geometry. Philosophical issues should be discussed as carefully and systematically as issues are discussed and proven in geometry. Deductive reasoning should be the preferred method of reasoning as it is in Geometry. Any deductive system such as Geometry is based on self-evident axioms; therefore a similar foundation is required for the “new system of thinking in Philosophy” as well.

    8. Descartes’ systematic doubt and its purpose Descartes’ systematic method of doubt can be understood as a strategy of thinking to overcome skepticism (to change the uncertainty to certainty by beginning with skepticism). In accordance with this method, there are three grounds for doubt: Hallucinations Dreams Illusions

    9. Cartesian systematic method of doubt Objects of experience can be illusion, dream or hallucination; therefore their true existence can be doubted. Descartes: As skepticism suggests, everything should be and can be the subject of doubt, but there is one thing that cannot be doubted, and that is the doubting process. Descartes: Since doubting cannot be doubted, it follows that doubting exists, but what is the nature of doubting? Descartes: Doubting is a mind activity; therefore there is a thinking mind that makes doubting possible, and if I am the person who thinks by doubting, then it follows that I exist ( my doubt proves my existence) / “Cogito ergo sum” or I think, therefore I am.

    10. Dualism & Mind-Body Problem Dualism is the metaphysical view that suggests that Mind & Body (Immaterial & Material entities) are two distinct entities, or ontologically separate (exist independently from each other). Mind - Body Problem: If Mind and Body have different natures ( they represent distinct types of “being”), then how can they interact ( why do and how are Mind and Body capable of communicating with each other)?

    11. Descartes' argument in support of Dualism P1: Two entities are the same entities if they share all and the same properties (Principle of Identity) P2: Material & Immaterial entities do not share common properties C: Material & Immaterial entities (Mind & Body) are not the same type of entities (ontologically different, therefore Dualism).

    12. Descartes' arguments in support of God Descartes defines the notion of God as a “perfect being”. First argument: What is the origin or the source of the idea of Perfection (perfect being)? Answer: The existence of God. Second argument: P1: God is defined as a perfect being P2: Nothing is perfect unless it exists C: God exists

    13. Descartes’ response to his systematic doubt The existence of Mind cannot be doubted due to Cogitio statement; therefore the immaterial mind exists. The existence of a material world cannot be doubted either due to the existence of God.

    14. Quiz What is the argument of Descartes in support of rationalism? What is the purpose of Cartesian epistemology? What is the Cartesian method for achieving the above goal? Describe and discuss the origin of the Cogito Statement. What is the purpose of Cogito Statement? What is Dualism and the problem associated with this view? What is the argument of Descartes in support of Dualism? What are the arguments of Descartes in support of God? Describe and discuss the systematic method of doubt.

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