We began class discussing Rene Descartes’ preface to his Meditations on Philosophy. Descartes states that through his previous work, Discourse on the method of rightly conducting reason and seeking the truth in sciences, he sought to find those points which should further be elaborated on. The first objection he will respond to is that the human mind is merely a thinking thing. Descartes will also respond to the objection that, “from the fact that I have within me the idea of a thing more perfect than myself, it does not follow that the idea is more perfect than me, still less that what is represented by the idea that exists”. Finally, concerning atheists, he states responding to their objections is a waste of time.
To sum up the points that were made in each of the six meditations we were given a synopsis. Regarding the first meditation, the meditator states that he must doubt all things he has previously believed. However, this is not a doubt merely to doubt, but rather a necessary tool to find something that is unquestionable to begin true knowledge. The second meditation leads the meditator to realize that through doubt he has found that the mind is a thinking thing. By being aware that it is questioning itself, it is proven to be real more or less. The argument for the existence of God, both ontologically and cosmologically, is found in the third meditation. The criteria for the truth is stated in the fourth meditation, specifically, those facts that can be doubted cannot be the grounds for any knowledge. An explanation of corporeal nature is given, as well as, another cosmological argument proving God’s existence lies within the fifth meditation. Finally, the sixth meditation contains the differentiation between intellect and imagination is given.
To further elaborate upon the first meditation, the meditator questions specifically what it is that can be called into doubt. Rather than every belief, it is beneficial to doubt to basic principles which will in turn destroy the foundations of all previously held beliefs. Additionally, the meditator reveals the senses must be doubted also. In terms of perspective they can be deceiving; a large tree may appear to be small from a distance thus misleading the mind. Lastly, the simple and general things must be called into question. In dreams images of things are manifested yet the dream world is one that is different from reality. Therefore, those objects such as color and space too must be distrusted. Descartes goes on to question God, eventually concluding that he may be a demon of sorts. If it God is to believed as omnipotent, then God can control the senses, and simple things. If this is the case what stops God from constantly deceiving the meditator, in fact he must be a demon who seeks to constantly deceive and place doubt within the meditator.
The Matrix was briefly analyzed to identify its philosophical parallels. The man ideas question what it is the truth, what do we think we know, and how we can free ourselves. The film was compared to the allegory of the cave, in that like those chained while in the matrix you will never live to your full potential. The utterly lost Neo is very similar to the meditator of the meditations in that Morpheus makes him question everything he has thought true. Essentially, The Matrix reinforces the point that our mind is indeed separate from the body.
Class was concluded by elaborating on the points of the second meditation. The dualism of the human mind is introduced in this section. More importantly, the meditator finds something that cannot be questioned; the mind is a thinking thing. It is irrelevant is God is a demon who seeks to deceive; because there is no question that the meditator is aware of his doubting. Thus the proposition “I think therefore I am” is put forward. Since the meditator thinks, he cannot doubt that he exists.
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