Descartes Meditations

Introduction

Descartes meditations on the first philosophy are a very unique book. These meditations have had many incalculable influences and effects on the philosophical thinking and history. This paper seeks to discuss whether Descartes arguments are hopeful.

According to Descartes the meditations attempt to bring doubt to everything. This simply means that these meditations are built from the things that are definitely certain. For example, the idea of a human as a spiritual being connected to a body only is a certain perception. This is because God is not a deceiver. However, the big question is what people really know about God and who God is. Descartes, in the meditations of the fist philosophy, asserts that he knows what he knows. He justifies this by the fact that the best philosophy is the one that asks the right questions and tries to discover how to answer them. This simply means that Descartes internalism asserts that all factors which are considered in this case should take an ideology form or the form of ideas. Consequently the development of the interpretations must use an inside to outside strategy. In the view of this, this knowledge cannot be destroyed. This means that the knowledge is beyond destruction and thus, there is absolutely no reason for doubting. Descartes also asserts that doubt may be instigated or initiated by a point raised by someone else on the matter.

How/Why is the “Cognito Ergo Sum’’ Hopeful?

“Cognito ergo sum” is a Latin term that means “I think therefore I am”. This phrase simply means that in a situation where individuals wonder if they are, it is already proof that they are because they exist to think on this matter. However, the term “I” might means a temporary person. This gives this phrase a temporary meaning. This does not mean, however, that temporary or momentary things will have a different thought in the next moments of thought. Critics argue that this thought requires and has an extra premise. This simply means that the premise used by the philosopher is not justified. The critics also argue that the cogito is not self evidence. They assert that in fact, this syllogism actually doubts the existence of the same.

The big question is if “cognito ergo sum’’ is hopeful. Well, it is clear that the concept refers to something conceivable or talks of thought. In this case, the concept is able to be perceived and conceived by a third party. This concept is hopeful because it examines the objectives which may seem impossible in order to simplify them through the experience of consciousness. This analysis is not only hopeful, but also distinguishes the difference between conviction that has reason to doubt and conviction which is based on knowledge and strong reasoning.

Howor Why is Descartes Conception of God Hopeful?

Descartes concept only seems to prove that God really exists. One of the methods that he uses to defeat skepticism is a doubt and analysis method. This method not only sets aside doubts, but also examines the beliefs on the same. Many critics have dismissed this thought as merely a mode of thought with no regard to truth. Critics have differed with his ideas and beliefs. However, Descartes has justified the objective reality as a represented mode. This simply explains the objective as a formal reality, which means that the existence of God is not an accident but a formal reality, which cannot be changed or doubted. Descartes conception of God is very hopeful because it defines the great chain of being. It suggests that this chain extends from God and is distributed to man and animals. This concept simply proves that God exists. However, as much as this concept proves the existence of God, Descartes suggests that God only necessarily exists.

Descartes method is very hopeful and should be read by every person. This is because it gives the human race hope over the increasing knowledge for mastery of nature. This method suggests that realms of undoubtable truths are unveiled by the subjectivity of the synthesis. It also expresses caution to the reader for choices that may unfortunately cause misfortune. This simply means that it offers logical reasons for the choices made. Descartes method is realistic and is religiously backed by morality. However, theologians have disregarded this method as rational discourse instead of natural reasoning.

Many questions regarding the separation of the souls and body have come up from this method. The mind is a thinking thing or object according to Descartes. The mind has the ability to believe, doubt, think and hope. He attributes that the mind is connected to the soul. The body, on the other hand, is an unthinking substance or thing. He also asserts that the soul can interact with the physical being, which is the body. In this way, the soul and body help to establish an empirical proof of existence. The separation of the two would separate internationalism, which simply entails the physical causes and the mental effects. This would not be helpful to the existence of the same.

Conclusion

In many instances, critics have suggested that Descartes is falsely hopeful. However, many other philosophers have begged to differ with this fact. They insist that Descartes has reason to be hopeful.

This paper has discussed the Descartes conceptions and methods. It has also helped to shed light to the many aspects and beliefs that are encompassed in the “Discourse and methods on first philosophy.’’