1. Why does Descartes want
certainty?
2. What area of philosophy was
Descartes concerned with?
3. Explain the differences
between the sceptical
approach and the sceptical
viewpoint.
4. Is Descartes a rationalist or
empiricist? Give a reason to
support your view.
1. Why does Descartes attack Scepticism?
2. Cartesian dualism is…?
3. Was Descartes influenced by religion?
4. What is an automaton?
5. According to Descartes, were humans
automatons?
Cartesian Dualism is Descartes method
of showing two basic substances (mind
and material) which exist in the
universe. Both were created by God but
the material would be subject to the
laws of science while the mind is still
the responsibility of the church (God).
Material = cause and effect
Mind = Freewill
What is the Method of Doubt? Descartes says
that he wishes to examine those things which he thinks
to be true and set aside all those beliefs of which
there might be some doubt.
Examining all of one's beliefs, one by one, would be a
very long, chancy and impractical process. So,
Descartes needs a way to group beliefs together,
which will allow him to call into question whole classes
of beliefs by questioning their common character.
He finds such a way to group beliefs by focusing on the
faculty, such as the senses, the imagination or
reason, from which beliefs are derived.
Finish off the following sentences….
1. By using a dualist approach, Descartes was able
to…..
2. According to Christian teaching…
3. The Cartesian view meant…
4. Humans are distinct from the rest of
creation…
5. “I know that I am not perfect…” (Descartes’
argument for the existence of God- explain
what it means
6. How is Descartes influenced by the Mediaeval
period?
1. Explain Descartes’ aim in your own words
2. Why did Descartes want certainty?
3. Explain the analogy of the demolition of an old
building-what does it mean in regard to
Descartes?
4. Describe the reasons why in Meditation 1
Descartes believes we could all be dreaming?
5. Is Descartes a sceptic? Explain your answer.
What reasons does Descartes give for
doubting whether he is awake or asleep?
Descartes revision sheet 1
1. Cartesian dualism is _______ and _________ .
2. Descartes was a rationalist which means
3. Two influential periods before Descartes were
__________ and __________ .
4. From each he took
a)
b)
5. What influence did mathematics have on Descartes?
6. Why was Descartes a sceptic?
7. Why was Descartes not a sceptic?
8. Explain what Descartes was trying to do (story of the
building) and what was his method called?
God plays an important part in Descartes’
Meditations.
If God exists why would she allow an evil
demon to control Descartes’ mind?
If God exists would she continue to torment
Descartes with silly tricks?
Answer: Descartes says that he has a clear and
distinct idea of God in his mind. His ideas about
God are traditional theological ones: omnipotent,
omniscient, Eternal, and loving.
At the end of Meditation 1 Descartes uses his “Method of
Doubt” to find Clear and Distinct ideas (things which if clear
and distinct can accepted to be true).
He begins by disregarding everything taught to him by
authorities because they cannot be trusted. Secondly
he distrusts the senses as these can give no certainty
about the world. For example an object seen in the
distance will be quite different close up. The sun from a
distance is small but closer to it makes it bigger.
Thirdly, Descartes questions whether we are awake or
dreaming as he has mistaken dreams for reality and
vice-versa. And finally, Descartes introduces the idea of
an evil demon who is controlling everything and
deceiving all of our experiences.
In Meditation II Descartes begins by saying that
the previous day’s meditation has filled his mind
with so many doubts that it is impossible to forget
them. It is like falling into deep water.
Descartes wants to be like Archimedes, to find one
foundational certainty that cannot be doubted.
Descartes questions:
•What is his mind/soul?
•What is his body?
•How can he know that God exists if there is an evil
demon who has taken control of everything?
However this leads Descartes to his sure foundation which
is called the cogito. Believing that you exist is different
from all other beliefs. In order to be deceived by the evil
demon, I must exist in order to be deceived. This is
different from other beliefs such as riding a bike to
school which could be an illusion created by the demon.
The demon cannot deceive you about your existence
because in order to be deceived you must exist. The
implication from this statement is that in existing, a
thinking person, has to think. Hence the statement “I think
therefore I am”. This is the cogito and Descartes
foundational certainty. This can stand up to his method
of doubt.
Descartes in Med 2 is lead to his sure
foundation which is called the Cogito. Believing
that you exist is different from all other
beliefs. In order to be deceived by the evil
demon, I must exist in order to be deceived. “I
think-I exist”.
Problem:
Descartes has established that he is a thinking
thing but nothing more-Subjectivism. Another
danger: is only his thinking real?-Solipsism
Another problem?
In Meditation II - he determines that the essence
of body is to be flexible, movable and extended. So
it turns out that the essence of mind and
the essence of body are two different
things. Minds are in essence thinking things, bodies
are in essence space occupiers, movable and flexible.
This is the basic doctrine of Cartesian dualism with
respect to mind and body - bodies and minds are
different kinds of entities. How can they interact?
Science can only measure the materials-speed, mass,
density, not mind!
Descartes’ views on the material
substances are reflected in the
distinction between primary qualities
and secondary qualities.
Primary are extension, shape and
motion and are measurable and
objective.
Secondary are smell, colour, feel,
and are entirely subjective and
immeasurable.
At the end of meditation 2
Descartes has explained the place
of rational thought in providing a
priori, innate, God-given reason
as the basis for knowledge about
anything. The cogito is selfevidently true and from this he
tries to provide, with the help of
God, that the world is as he
rationally knows it to be.
Quik Quizz
1. Descartes is a rationalist-reason gives him
knowledge about himself and the world.
2. At the end of meditation 1, Descartes doubts
that God loves him.
3. At the end of meditation 2 Descartes tries to
build a new philosophy-do away with the old
building.
4. The cogito proves that Descartes has a mindthat’s all- some dangers associated with this.
5. The cogito has no problems associated with it.
6. The progression of Descartes’ doubts moves from:
senses, evil demon, authority, awake or sleeping.
7. The progression of Descartes’ doubts in Meditation
2 moves from authority, senses, awake or sleeping to
evil demon.
8. Descartes is a sceptic.
9. Descartes uses the method of doubt (sceptical
method) to disprove scepticism- he wants to find a
foundational certainty.
10. The progression of Descartes’ doubts in Mediation
1 moves from authority, senses, awake or sleeping to
evil demon.
11. Descartes begins Meditation 2 by being very tired.
12. Descartes uses an image of being in deep water at the
beginning of Meditation 2 to show how difficult the
doubts of the previous day have been for him.
13. In Mediation 2, Descartes finds his foundational
certainty which is the Cogito-this disproves the evil
demon theory.
14. The cogito means “I think- I exist”.
15. The foundational certainty of the cogito in
Meditation 2 is true for Descartes- in order to be
deceived he knows that he must exist.
1. Cogito
2. Foundational
certainty
3. Method of doubt
4. Clear and distinct
ideas
5. Evil demon
6. Sceptical
7. Rationalist
• Mr Twigg look alike
•Reason is primary way to gain
knowledge
•Using scepticism to disprove
scepticism
•True and Exists Independently of
other beliefs when perceived clearly
•Doubting, questioning, considering
•Beyond doubt that this is one
certain indubitable truth.
•Descartes’ foundational certainty: “I
think, I exist”.
•That Celtic will win the league
1. Cogito
2. Foundational
certainty
• Descartes’ foundational certainty:
“I think, I exist”.
•Beyond doubt that this is one
certain indubitable truth.
3. Method of doubt •Using scepticism to disprove
scepticism
4. Clear and distinct
•True and Exists Independently of
ideas
5. Evil demon
other beliefs
•Mr Twigg look alike
6. Sceptical
•Doubting, questioning, considering
7. Rationalist
•Reason is primary way to gain
knowledge
Homework
Why is the Cogito important
for Descartes’ philosophy?
Does it provide any answers
of more problems?(400
words)
Meditation 1: Descartes doubts
everything.
Meditation 2: Descartes finds his
foundational certainty
Meditation 3: Argument for the
existence of God.
Descartes outlines his Thumbprint/Trademark argument
for the existence of God.
Basically he says that because he is imperfect and finite, it is
impossible for him to have created something which is perfect
and infinite.
God must have placed the innate idea within Descartes.
He could not have conceived of the idea of infinity and
perfection himself
Only God could leave this mark on him-hence the name
“Trademark”/ “Thumbprint”
Perfection is a quality of God.
Eternal or Infinite is a quality of God.
Descartes is imperfect and finite-it is
impossible for him to conceive of this
himself.
This must have been stamped on him from
something outside of himself.
Hence the idea of God’s existence.
Explain why Descartes comes
to the conclusion
that God is no deceiver.