Descartes External World Analysis

The following paper is an attempt to address why Descartes uses the proof of a perfect being, God, as a possible solution to the “Problem of the External World.” The paper will define the “Problem of the External World,” Connection Principle between intrinsic and representative reality, importance of thought, and objections. The “Problem of the External World” as presented by Descartes questions if it is reasonable for him to be able to know about the external world, or be certain that there is a physical world beyond the ideas in the mind. I believe that Descartes does not wholly doubt the existence of the external world, but suggests that he cannot be certain that his perceptions of the external world are not misrepresented by the …show more content…
Descartes believes that his idea of God is an innate, representational reality of a perfect being. Due to an intangible connection between representational reality and the external world, Descartes is able to prove that God exists through the Connection Principle. Descartes defends the Connection Principle by hinting that the power of thought is the sole true thing that an individual can rely on. Thus, ideas are by default the only way to prove the existence of a perfect being and the external world. This is followed by the premise given at the beginning of the Third Meditation in which thoughts that Descartes can vividly see must be true. Descartes’ clear innate idea of a perfect being is true only if God exists and is not a deceiver. Altogether, Descartes believes that his innate ideas are true and the “Problem of the External World” can be solved through proving the existence of a perfect being using Connection Principle. However, the main objection with Descartes’ argument is how he is able to transition from representational reality to intrinsic reality. Descartes does not clearly define what the Connection Principle