Narrator's Basis of Beliefs Quiz

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What does Descartes consider as the two chief issues that should be demonstrated with the aid of philosophy?

The nature of good and evil

The power of God and the creation of the soul

The existence of God and the immortality of the soul (correct)

The existence of heaven and hell

What does Descartes hope readers will do before realizing that his principles in the Meditations contradict Aristotle's principles?

Ignore his principles

Gradually get used to his principles (correct)

Immediately reject his principles

Publicly criticize his principles

According to Descartes, which should be proven to unbelievers first before they can be persuaded of any religion or moral virtue?

The nature of heaven and hell

The existence of God and immortality of the soul (correct)

The essence of matter or bodies

The power of God and creation of the soul

What does Descartes reveal to Mersenne about the content of his Meditations in their letter?

They contain all the foundations of his physics Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to Descartes' view, what does Aristotle believe is the essence of matter or bodies?

There are four basic kinds of elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, what determines whether matter will remain at rest or be in motion?

Matter at rest or in motion will remain at rest or in motion Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of First Philosophy according to the text?

Discovering innate knowledge through reasoning Signup and view all the answers

In Descartes' First Meditation, what does the narrator doubt?

The reliability of the senses Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator conclude in Descartes' Second Meditation?

He cannot doubt that he exists as a 'thinking thing' Signup and view all the answers

What is Descartes' explanation for the possibility of error in the Fourth Meditation?

God would never deceive us Signup and view all the answers

According to Descartes, what can we know for certain in the Third Meditation?

Everything that is clearly and distinctly perceived Signup and view all the answers

What does Descartes assert as being the only things we can clearly and distinctly recognize exist?

God and the mind Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis of all of the narrator’s beliefs according to the text?

Senses or sensory experiences Signup and view all the answers

Why does the narrator suggest that it is unwise to completely trust their senses?

Because the senses are not completely certain or indubitable Signup and view all the answers

According to Skeptical Argument 1, what should one do if their senses are sometimes deceptive?

Withhold assent from beliefs not completely certain Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator believe will happen if the foundations of their beliefs are not completely certain and indubitable?

Their beliefs will crumble Signup and view all the answers

Why does the narrator mention that it is endless to survey each opinion individually in the text?

Because surveying each opinion would be an endless task Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator aim to achieve by attacking the principles that supported their previous beliefs?

To cause their previous beliefs to crumble Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Cogito argument?

To demonstrate the certainty of one's own existence Signup and view all the answers

According to Descartes, what is the certainty provided by 'Cogito, ergo sum'?

Thinking thing's own existence Signup and view all the answers

What does Rationalism, as explained in the text, emphasize for recognizing certain beliefs as true?

The faculty of reason independently from sense experiences Signup and view all the answers

Can an evil demon trick you into doubting your own existence according to Descartes?

Yes, because doubt can be induced about everything, including one's own existence Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Cogito according to Descartes?

To demonstrate that rationalism allows us to know things through reason alone Signup and view all the answers

What is the key element that the Cogito argument proves beyond doubt?

The certainty of one's own thinking and existence Signup and view all the answers

How does Descartes argue that the knowledge of the self as a thinking thing is acquired?

By using intellect or reason alone Signup and view all the answers

How does Descartes differentiate between what is provable by the Cogito argument and what remains dubitable?

The Cogito proves the existence of a thinking thing but leaves many other aspects open to doubt Signup and view all the answers

Why does Descartes introduce the evil demon in his philosophical meditations?

To challenge the existence of an external world Signup and view all the answers

What foundational belief does Descartes discover through his meditations that he cannot doubt?

His own existence as a thinking being Signup and view all the answers

How does Descartes aim to strengthen the shaky foundation of the Cogito for scientific knowledge?

By establishing the existence of an external world beyond doubt Signup and view all the answers