Descartes First Meditation - 2099 Words

Descartes First Meditation Descartes believes that knowledge comes from within the mind, a single indisputable fact to build on that can be gained through individual reflection. While seeking true knowledge, Descartes writes his Six Meditations. In these meditations, Descartes tries to develop a strong foundation, which all knowledge can be built upon. In the First Meditation, Descartes begins developing this foundation through the method of doubt. He casts doubt upon all his previous beliefs, including matters which are not entirely certain and indubitable [and] those which appear to be manifestly false. (Descartes, p.75, par.3) Once Descartes clears away all beliefs that can be called into doubt, he can then build a strong†¦show more content†¦4) This thought experiment leads Descartes to another method in doubt. Descartes then goes on to assume that there is a God, who is all powerful, and created this world; yet he asks, How do I know that He has not brought it to pass that there is no ear th, no heaven, no extended body, no magnitude, no place, and that nevertheless they seem to me to exist just exactly as I know see them? (Descartes, p.76, par.5) Without a guarantee of reality, maybe all of his previous beliefs are false. Descartes doubts the supreme goodness of a God that would let him be deceived even occasionally. Moreover, if a perfect God does not exist then it becomes probable that Descartes himself is increasingly imperfect and therefore is constantly being misled. If, however, it is contrary to His goodness to have made me such that I constantly deceive myself, it would also appear contrary to His goodness to permit me to be sometimes deceived, and nevertheless I cannot doubt that he does permit this. (Descartes, p.76, par.5) Descartes assumes the scenario that God is really an evil demon. I will suppose therefore that not God, who is supremely good and the source of truth, but rather some malicious demon of the utmost power and cunning has employed al l his energies in order to deceive me. I shall think the sky, the air, the earth, colours, shapes, sounds and all external things are merely the delusions of dreams, which he has devised to ensnare myShow MoreRelatedDescartes Meditations On First Philosophy1318 Words   |  6 PagesPhilosophical Questions November 2, 2017 Cogito Ergo Sum Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy and his questioning of our existence in reality is a question which philosophers have tackled throughout time. Cogito ergo sum or I think therefore I am, a phrase brought about by Descartes is the backbone of his whole philosophy of our existence in reality. As long as we are thinking things, we exist. 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