Descartes Theory Of Knowledge

Epistemology is the study of limits, nature, source and validity of knowledge. Epistemology is mainly focused on reviewing and analyzing statements individuals make that they ‘know’ something. ‘Is knowledge possible?’ ‘What is knowledge?’ ‘If you know something, does that mean that you are certain about it?’ ‘What is the difference between knowledge and belief?’ These are example question that is examined. Knowledge is justified true belief, for beliefs to be justified it has to be a known truth or certain. Certainty is “beyond any logically possible doubt.” One way Descartes uses to find knowledge is by doubt if it is logically possible to doubt, then is cannot be certain. Realistically it is not feasible to challenge every single belief. …show more content…
Descartes is not proving that anything exists or that it is not possible for individuals to know if anything truly exists but Descartes’ is aiming to show that all knowledge that is through the senses is open to doubt. If scientific knowledge came from the senses, we would never know if anything outside of us exists or existed. Descartes argues that since we are aware that external objects exist, this knowledge cannot come from our sense. It must originate from the mind itself. According to Descartes, this foundation is necessary because he needs to show how knowledge is compatible with religion, which he has done by showing how it leads to knowledge of the existence of God. Descartes introduces us to three arguments to explain doubt: The dream argument, the deceiving God argument, and the evil demon argument. The most important points in each of these arguments are that we cannot perceive external objects directly. Only through substances of our mind, the images the external objects themselves. Also only with mental images, sense perception cannot come with the certainty that there is anything in the external world that goes with the images that individuals have in their minds. Descartes also introduces these arguments as a way to motivate the doubts in the validity of our …show more content…
Descartes is critically examining his knowledge and perception to find out whether or not they are true. Descartes is trying to come to one certain truth where he can construct his philosophy. The wax argument is a new view of the mind and its properties. Aristotle had thought the mind is only intellect and sensations and imaginations are the body. But Descartes claims that sensations and imagination are not only of the body but are more so of the mind. It is