Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does Descartes consider as the two chief issues that should be demonstrated with the aid of philosophy?
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?
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?
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?
What does Descartes reveal to Mersenne about the content of his Meditations in their letter?
In contrast to Descartes' view, what does Aristotle believe is the essence of matter or bodies?
In contrast to Descartes' view, what does Aristotle believe is the essence of matter or bodies?
According to Aristotle, what determines whether matter will remain at rest or be in motion?
According to Aristotle, what determines whether matter will remain at rest or be in motion?
What is the main focus of First Philosophy according to the text?
What is the main focus of First Philosophy according to the text?
In Descartes' First Meditation, what does the narrator doubt?
In Descartes' First Meditation, what does the narrator doubt?
What does the narrator conclude in Descartes' Second Meditation?
What does the narrator conclude in Descartes' Second Meditation?
What is Descartes' explanation for the possibility of error in the Fourth Meditation?
What is Descartes' explanation for the possibility of error in the Fourth Meditation?
According to Descartes, what can we know for certain in the Third Meditation?
According to Descartes, what can we know for certain in the Third Meditation?
What does Descartes assert as being the only things we can clearly and distinctly recognize exist?
What does Descartes assert as being the only things we can clearly and distinctly recognize exist?
What is the basis of all of the narrator’s beliefs according to the text?
What is the basis of all of the narrator’s beliefs according to the text?
Why does the narrator suggest that it is unwise to completely trust their senses?
Why does the narrator suggest that it is unwise to completely trust their senses?
According to Skeptical Argument 1, what should one do if their senses are sometimes deceptive?
According to Skeptical Argument 1, what should one do if their senses are sometimes deceptive?
What does the narrator believe will happen if the foundations of their beliefs are not completely certain and indubitable?
What does the narrator believe will happen if the foundations of their beliefs are not completely certain and indubitable?
Why does the narrator mention that it is endless to survey each opinion individually in the text?
Why does the narrator mention that it is endless to survey each opinion individually in the text?
What does the narrator aim to achieve by attacking the principles that supported their previous beliefs?
What does the narrator aim to achieve by attacking the principles that supported their previous beliefs?
What is the main purpose of the Cogito argument?
What is the main purpose of the Cogito argument?
According to Descartes, what is the certainty provided by 'Cogito, ergo sum'?
According to Descartes, what is the certainty provided by 'Cogito, ergo sum'?
What does Rationalism, as explained in the text, emphasize for recognizing certain beliefs as true?
What does Rationalism, as explained in the text, emphasize for recognizing certain beliefs as true?
Can an evil demon trick you into doubting your own existence according to Descartes?
Can an evil demon trick you into doubting your own existence according to Descartes?
What is the main purpose of the Cogito according to Descartes?
What is the main purpose of the Cogito according to Descartes?
What is the key element that the Cogito argument proves beyond doubt?
What is the key element that the Cogito argument proves beyond doubt?
How does Descartes argue that the knowledge of the self as a thinking thing is acquired?
How does Descartes argue that the knowledge of the self as a thinking thing is acquired?
How does Descartes differentiate between what is provable by the Cogito argument and what remains dubitable?
How does Descartes differentiate between what is provable by the Cogito argument and what remains dubitable?
Why does Descartes introduce the evil demon in his philosophical meditations?
Why does Descartes introduce the evil demon in his philosophical meditations?
What foundational belief does Descartes discover through his meditations that he cannot doubt?
What foundational belief does Descartes discover through his meditations that he cannot doubt?
How does Descartes aim to strengthen the shaky foundation of the Cogito for scientific knowledge?
How does Descartes aim to strengthen the shaky foundation of the Cogito for scientific knowledge?
