This essay will aim to discuss René Descartes arguments on the first philosophy, by looking at his Meditations on First Philosophy, published in 1641. A summary of Descartes’ arguments will be given by focussing on the first, second, fourth and sixth meditations. Thereafter I will state whether or not I found Descartes’ argument convincing or not.
In the first meditation, Descartes states what one might doubt. He starts his argument with that of dreams, and the objection thereof. Descartes states that while he is writing it is completely possible that he might be sleeping and therefore dreaming, and not experiencing reality at all, (Descartes 7). He then states that dreams are made up of reality, so some things must be true and real, (7). Descartes …show more content…
One can only perceive oneself as existing because one can think, and one has knowledge of this fact, (10). It could be that our bodies are not real, but our minds must be, for we are capable of thought, (11). Thus our minds must be existing entities, for we know this from thought; however we are still uncertain about the existence of our bodies, (12).
In Descartes fourth meditation, he argues for what is true and what is false. There might be a possibility of error, according to Descartes, (19). Descartes tries to figure out how error is possible, even though we were created by an omnipotent God, (20). He then states that errors accrue not in intellect, but rather in will and judgement, (21). God can thus not be held responsible for giving us free will; it is our fault for abusing it and therefore falling into error, (21). We can avoid error, by relying on our intellect to show us the truth clearly, …show more content…
His arguments are clear and concise, and are quite logical. Descartes went about his arguments in a very systematic way, which I found to be very understandable. Therefore I would state that Descartes’ arguments are convincing in what they aim to convey.
To conclude René Descartes’ arguments for doubtful beliefs, that the mind is more plausible than the body, what is really true and what is false, whether or not material things actually exist and the specific difference between the mind and body, are all a part of his first philosophy. His arguments in the specific meditations mentioned are concise and therefore I find them convincing. Descartes first philosophy is intriguing and very
In the first meditation, Descartes states what one might doubt. He starts his argument with that of dreams, and the objection thereof. Descartes states that while he is writing it is completely possible that he might be sleeping and therefore dreaming, and not experiencing reality at all, (Descartes 7). He then states that dreams are made up of reality, so some things must be true and real, (7). Descartes …show more content…
One can only perceive oneself as existing because one can think, and one has knowledge of this fact, (10). It could be that our bodies are not real, but our minds must be, for we are capable of thought, (11). Thus our minds must be existing entities, for we know this from thought; however we are still uncertain about the existence of our bodies, (12).
In Descartes fourth meditation, he argues for what is true and what is false. There might be a possibility of error, according to Descartes, (19). Descartes tries to figure out how error is possible, even though we were created by an omnipotent God, (20). He then states that errors accrue not in intellect, but rather in will and judgement, (21). God can thus not be held responsible for giving us free will; it is our fault for abusing it and therefore falling into error, (21). We can avoid error, by relying on our intellect to show us the truth clearly, …show more content…
His arguments are clear and concise, and are quite logical. Descartes went about his arguments in a very systematic way, which I found to be very understandable. Therefore I would state that Descartes’ arguments are convincing in what they aim to convey.
To conclude René Descartes’ arguments for doubtful beliefs, that the mind is more plausible than the body, what is really true and what is false, whether or not material things actually exist and the specific difference between the mind and body, are all a part of his first philosophy. His arguments in the specific meditations mentioned are concise and therefore I find them convincing. Descartes first philosophy is intriguing and very