Meditations on First Philosophy

art developed in Asia from the philosophies of the Buddhist religion and the influences of local and foreign art styles. The first remaining Buddhist art work is dated nearly three hundred years after Buddha was born. The oldest structures and art are found in caves, statues, and mounds called stupas. The challenge artists faced when creating art was the struggle between conveying meaning and Buddha’s teachings without depicting Buddha himself. In early Buddha philosophy he was not a god and not…

Descartes’ Method of Doubt Descartes’ method of doubt is an epistemological exercise in which all types of opinions and beliefs are examined and questioned, until a one of indubitable certitude is uncovered. Having realised that many beliefs he has held at one time or another were subsequently revealed to be fallacious, and that even a single false belief is enough to destabilise an entire structure of knowledge, Descartes sets out to find a strong foundation with which to build back up the…

Rene Descartes and John Locke are some of the first philosophers to question personal identity and although they both bring up valid points I tend to lean towards Descartes rationalistic view. The reason we see such different distinguishable arguments is because of the different approaches that these philosophers took. You see, Descartes was a rationalist, which means that beliefs that we form should be based off reason rather than emotion. While, Locke was an empiricist, which was someone who…

Much like learning a new language or how to write with your non dominant hand, the brain forms new neural connections and remembers these connections. The trait of neuroplasticity the brain has makes meditations effects so long lasting, we can teach ourselves and even others to be happier, less stressed, to care about each other more. Ricard in his talk goes over the wants and needs of people to be happy. How we could be outside in the cold and want warmth…

dreaming” (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy). When Neo was presented with the jump stimulation test Morpheus’ crew had a feeling that Neo may be able to pass it. Right before Morpheus jumps, he tells Neo “You’ve got to let it all go Neo, fear, doubt, disbelief. Free your mind” (The Matrix). What Morpheus meant by this is that the only way Neo can conquer the jump is if he let go of his doubts. However when Tank reminds Mouse that “No one has ever made their first jump” (The Matrix), the crew…

classification to highlight the bee, versus Descartes’ more sensual analysis of a ball of wax. Francis Bacon, in his work The New Organon, opens his argument with the creation of a caste-system, dividing humanity first implicitly, with an entomological allegory, and then explicitly. First, the bugs: The men of experiment are like the ant, they only collect…

The subject of philosophy is a study that can be viewed in many different ways. Some ways vary in extremes from one another, but they all wish to pursue the same thing; the understanding of knowledge and human excellence. One of the most popular arguments is the comparison of mind and body. Through this paper I will go in depth on the individuals theories and discoveries, then compare them using the ideas from Plato’s Phaedo and Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy. Both philosophers…

astronomy writing both “The World” in 1633 and the “principals of philosophy” in 1644. Descartes was one of the first to put together the idea that we commonly known as the scientific method, he talks about his establishment of it in both “rules or direction of the mind” and “Discourage on the method”. Lastly he is considered the father of modern philosophy. Beyond the history behind Descartes we go into his first meditation. In this meditation Descartes rejects the idea of tradition being an…

Meditation is one of few practices today, that helps an individual focus their minds on a particular object, thought or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. Meditation is used to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and pain. There is many ways to do it but many people do it sitting and closing their eyes in a quiet environment. Athletes all over the world should perform meditation whether it be before a practice or the biggest game of their career because there is so…

the external world’s existence. René Descartes details a particularly notable and compelling argument for skepticism about the external world in his Meditations on First Philosophy, specifically in his “First Meditation”. Descartes argument centers around bringing everything we think we know and understand into doubt. To accomplish this, Descartes first questions information we receive through our senses. If we acquire our beliefs of the external world only through information we receive from…