DQ4

Class Responses and Instructor Comments

>From W Y Ng:

Response I would say of "himself", because in meditation one; he doubts about everything around him.

>rm says: This comes later, in MII, and, in fact, he never specifically doubts this, and says there that such doubt is impossible. Can we dream of something completely new? What about the building blocks of the images in dreams? Aren't there some other truths which remain constant, even in a dream, and even if we dream that they are false?

>From natalie:

The simple and universal are certain even if he is dreaming. He doubts those things because he would not be able to tell whether he is dreaming or awake.

>rm says: I agree with the first sentence, but doesn't the second sentence contradict it?

>From anna grier: that the things he sees in his dreams are like painted images of true things that he really saw in the likeness of general things and not imaginary things while he is awake.

>rm says: True enough. But this response needs to be more specific. What are these general things, and what specific beliefs does this leave in tact?

>From Avrohom: What Descartes does not doubt are the building block or the source of the objects in 'the dream' (bec. the imagination only builds on what came through the senses).

>rm says: That's pretty good. So, what are these 'building blocks', specifically? And if they come from the senses, aren't they also subject to the dreaming doubt? The building blocks, if they are to survive the dream doubt, can not come from the senses via the imagination.

Descartes Reading Guide 4. Of what does Descartes think might be certain even if he is dreaming? Why does he doubt even those things?		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: Response I would say of "himself", because in meditation one; he doubts about everything around him. >rm says: This comes later, in MII, and, in fact, he never specifically doubts this, and says there that such doubt is impossible. Can we dream of something completely new? What about the building blocks of the images in dreams? Aren't there some other truths which remain constant, even in a dream, and even if we dream that they are false? >From natalie: The simple and universal are certain even if he is dreaming. He doubts those things because he would not be able to tell whether he is dreaming or awake. >rm says: I agree with the first sentence, but doesn't the second sentence contradict it? >From anna grier: that the things he sees in his dreams are like painted images of true things that he really saw in the likeness of general things and not imaginary things while he is awake. >rm says: True enough. But this response needs to be more specific. What are these general things, and what specific beliefs does this leave in tact? >From Avrohom: What Descartes does not doubt are the building block or the source of the objects in 'the dream' (bec. the imagination only builds on what came through the senses). >rm says: That's pretty good. So, what are these 'building blocks', specifically? And if they come from the senses, aren't they also subject to the dreaming doubt? The building blocks, if they are to survive the dream doubt, can not come from the senses via the imagination.
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