In this essay, we as the students were given the following instructions:
“Discuss in a philosophical-critical manner the significance of Descartes' approach to knowledge (epistemology) as one of the main historical starting points of the Modern world view”
To contradict the various segments of this assignment, the following points will have to be made prominent and then discussed as a whole:
- Discussing Descartes approach to knowledge or better known as epistemology.
- How this approach contributed to the historical starting point of the modern world view.
Descartes approach to knowledge or better known as epistemology
Firstly, René Descartes (1596-1650) is regarded around the world as the father/mentor of modern day philosophy. His immense …show more content…
To understand everything clearly and distinctly. (Spinoza: 11)
How this approach contributed to the historical starting point of the modern world view.
To summarize the previous points, Descartes made a foundation of knowledge where he utilized a methodological doubt so that a fact or ideology could not be doubted.
Descartes shaped the Modern World-view in the following …show more content…
He believed that all individual possessed the natural right of reason and argumentation, that each individual has the capacity to discover truth and also undermine the Roman Catholic authoritarianism. Although Descartes was a devoted Catholic, this belief gave support to the Protestant affirmation of the supremacy of individual conscience.
2. The world is understandable through laws of nature and science and can be subjected to the control of man.
3. Descartes believed that the analysis of personal experience is key when approaching philosophy.
4. Descartes’ famous declaration “I think, therefore I am” raises questions about the nature of personality and personal identity. What is the self, the “I” that Descartes establishes as the foundation of knowledge? Maybe a true paradigm and polar opposites of sort?
5. The idea of mind and matter making up the universe is so much part of our human and intellectual heritage that those not trained and teached within philosophy, consider it common sense.
6. Descartes’ quest for certainty determines the direction of much subsequent philosophy. Questions concerning epistemology and methodology take on an unprecedented importance (Introduction to Western Philosophy:
“Discuss in a philosophical-critical manner the significance of Descartes' approach to knowledge (epistemology) as one of the main historical starting points of the Modern world view”
To contradict the various segments of this assignment, the following points will have to be made prominent and then discussed as a whole:
- Discussing Descartes approach to knowledge or better known as epistemology.
- How this approach contributed to the historical starting point of the modern world view.
Descartes approach to knowledge or better known as epistemology
Firstly, René Descartes (1596-1650) is regarded around the world as the father/mentor of modern day philosophy. His immense …show more content…
To understand everything clearly and distinctly. (Spinoza: 11)
How this approach contributed to the historical starting point of the modern world view.
To summarize the previous points, Descartes made a foundation of knowledge where he utilized a methodological doubt so that a fact or ideology could not be doubted.
Descartes shaped the Modern World-view in the following …show more content…
He believed that all individual possessed the natural right of reason and argumentation, that each individual has the capacity to discover truth and also undermine the Roman Catholic authoritarianism. Although Descartes was a devoted Catholic, this belief gave support to the Protestant affirmation of the supremacy of individual conscience.
2. The world is understandable through laws of nature and science and can be subjected to the control of man.
3. Descartes believed that the analysis of personal experience is key when approaching philosophy.
4. Descartes’ famous declaration “I think, therefore I am” raises questions about the nature of personality and personal identity. What is the self, the “I” that Descartes establishes as the foundation of knowledge? Maybe a true paradigm and polar opposites of sort?
5. The idea of mind and matter making up the universe is so much part of our human and intellectual heritage that those not trained and teached within philosophy, consider it common sense.
6. Descartes’ quest for certainty determines the direction of much subsequent philosophy. Questions concerning epistemology and methodology take on an unprecedented importance (Introduction to Western Philosophy: