*** answer this discussion for two students
Descartes’ Meditations
Of the arguments that Descartes uses to show that (almost) all of our knowledge is subject to doubt, which seemed the strongest? Why?
Also, explain how Descartes arrives at his one “indubitable truth.”
Example 1
The argument used by Descartes that I think is the strongest is the evil demon argument. I believe this is the strongest because it gives the job of tricking us to an external source that is constantly playing with our reality. The main purpose of the evil demon is to change how we perceive things and how we reason about them in order to deceive us about the truth. Hence, how could we know what is true if there is an entity in charge of changing everything we see? This is why I think this is the strongest argument that explains why most knowledge is doubtful.
Descartes arrives at the conclusion that there is something that cannot be in doubt, which is the mere fact of thinking. Under his reasoning, if he is aware of those doubts, then he is thinking, and if he is thinking, it must mean that he exists.
Example 2
I appreciate the argument at the base of Descartes theory of universal doubt. If we are to question one part of our lives, then why are we not questioning all parts and aspects. I can understand the idea behind wanting each thing to prove itself to be true and earn your acceptance. If it cannot, it will be under scrutiny. On the other hand, it can be a slippery slope when Descartes begins to not only question what is around him in life, but to question the world and life itself. He believes that we could all be a part of a simulation, or falsely invented world which could be just a mirage. I get the notion that instead of trying to get a better grasp on what reality is, he is actually losing touch with it. I feel this is counterproductive to the goal he was hoping to achieve. Descartes wanted to feel more sure and secure in his time on this Earth, and I think he took it too far. The fact that he wakes up each morning and be in the real world around him should act as a form of proof that it is real. At least real in his existence as it is.
Example 3
I always thought senses were never going to fail. In my mind, how is a sense I’m experiencing not truthful? After learning more, I have been proven wrong. An example that was used that I felt was relatable is thinking you saw someone familiar, but it ends up being a stranger. It feels like a universal experience across all cultures and races. It does not matter who you are, but it is something that has either happened to you or almost has. It proves that your eyes can fail you, because when you first see that person, your brain instantly connects them to someone you know. It made me realize how susceptible humans are to their senses. Just because we experienced it, that does not mean it is necessarily completely true. With this ideology, the world could be scary, knowing that nothing could be near the truth that we believe exists. Descartes arrives at his indubitable truth by doubting everything that he originally had faith in. By not believing in anything and starting over with only beliefs in hard facts, this is how he came to his conclusion. I liked Descartes’ ideas. By questioning everything he ever believed, he led himself to the same ideologies he already had, but he proved that they were true to himself. His conclusion that he is a human being with a mind that has occurring thoughts was his first realization of truth, I felt that message was very powerful. We all know for a fact that we are humans with brains that have thoughts. I found this message to be inspiring because it is a reminder that we’re all the same, we’re all human with our own ideologies.
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