DQ31

Class Responses and Instructor Comments

>From W Y Ng:

Descartes' certainty of everything else depend on "him" which is himself and what he perceives are "clear" and "distinct" is true.

>rm says: I guess when I used 'else', I meant everything except himself. That is, look at all the arguments after MIII, like those for the criterion, for the possibility of physical objects, for the existence of physical objects, for the mind body distinction, for the certainty of mathematical truths? What element appears in all of them?

>From natalie v:

Im still confused about the answer to this question!

>rm says: I imagine you're not the only one. I'm resisting just giving the answer here, but here's another hint. Descartes is rebuilding his knowledge from a new foundation. One element of that foundation, the first, is himself. What's the next (perhaps, the most important) element?

>From natalie v:

Is the answer God? because after he states that he knows he exists, he goes to say how he knows that god exists

>rm says: ...and then he goes on to say everything else!

Descartes Reading Guide 31. On what does Descartes' certainty of everything else depend?		Back to Descartes Reading Guide Back to Philosophy 101 Home Next Question
Enter your response to the above question, or to a previous response, in the form below, or use this email link. I will post your response on the right, and comment if I think I can be helpful. When emailing, instead of using the form, please indicate the question number. When using the form below, if you neglect to enter your name or email, I won't know who you are.	Class Responses and Instructor Comments >From W Y Ng: Descartes' certainty of everything else depend on "him" which is himself and what he perceives are "clear" and "distinct" is true. >rm says: I guess when I used 'else', I meant everything except himself. That is, look at all the arguments after MIII, like those for the criterion, for the possibility of physical objects, for the existence of physical objects, for the mind body distinction, for the certainty of mathematical truths? What element appears in all of them? >From natalie v: Im still confused about the answer to this question! >rm says: I imagine you're not the only one. I'm resisting just giving the answer here, but here's another hint. Descartes is rebuilding his knowledge from a new foundation. One element of that foundation, the first, is himself. What's the next (perhaps, the most important) element? >From natalie v: Is the answer God? because after he states that he knows he exists, he goes to say how he knows that god exists >rm says: ...and then he goes on to say everything else!
Write your comments here: Your Name: Your email: