01 Oct Philosophy
Meditations on First Philosophy
The Preliminary Set Up:
Take a moment to consider the notion of systematic doubt conveyed by Descartes in Meditation I (as discussed specifically in Module 4: Discussion Post 1), specifically as to how it leads:
- First, to the recognition of a possible malicious all powerful demon that might be deceiving him in all things…and
- Second, to a recognition that doubting he is participating in the action of doubting is still doubting and thusly one thing is certain: Descartes is a critter that is a thinking-thing==>”I am, I exist”==>”I think, therefore I am”==>Cogito Ergo Sum
At this point, Descartes is then confronted by the threat of solipsism, if his being merely a thinking-thing is truly the one and only thing that he can be certain of. To avoid this, Descartes takes a mental note of his capacities and it seems that he has three kinds of ideas:
- Adventitious ideas- coming from outside (e.g., It is cold outside, There is river, That is an otter).
- Factitious ideas- which may be illusory, or invented by the imagination but still composed from ideas coming from outside (e.g., Mermaid, centaur, minotaur, chimera, sphinx, satyr, griffin).
- Innate ideas- for Descartes there are 2:
- Perfection
- Infinity
The Thrust of the Content:
Descartes uses the two above innate ideas (perfection & infinity) to develop an argument for the existence of God often called the ‘Trademark’ argument. Explain how the ‘Trademark’ argument functions to prove the existence of God and how God’s existence once proven then helps Descartes escape the threat of solipsism.
Requirements:
- What is meant by Descartes’s ‘Trademark’ argument for the existence of God and explain how it works in your own words and in complete sentences.
- Next, postulate how a now proven existence of God helps Descartes escape the threat of solipsism such that it paves a way to rebuilding the edifice of knowledge that systematic doubt laid bare.
Expectations
Please post your original response by 7-24 so all replies can be posted by 7-25.
Grading
A positive and affirming reply to our classmates is always nice to see but we should also be aiming to push the conversation forward in ways that help us see new angles and insights. Both your original response and subsequent reply to a classmate will of course also continue to be graded on your ability to maintain the proper grammar and spelling befitting a professional, academic setting.
Our website has a team of professional writers who can help you write any of your homework. They will write your papers from scratch. We also have a team of editors just to make sure all papers are of HIGH QUALITY & PLAGIARISM FREE. To make an Order you only need to click Ask A Question and we will direct you to our Order Page at WriteDemy. Then fill Our Order Form with all your assignment instructions. Select your deadline and pay for your paper. You will get it few hours before your set deadline.
Fill in all the assignment paper details that are required in the order form with the standard information being the page count, deadline, academic level and type of paper. It is advisable to have this information at hand so that you can quickly fill in the necessary information needed in the form for the essay writer to be immediately assigned to your writing project. Make payment for the custom essay order to enable us to assign a suitable writer to your order. Payments are made through Paypal on a secured billing page. Finally, sit back and relax.
About Writedemy
We are a professional paper writing website. If you have searched a question and bumped into our website just know you are in the right place to get help in your coursework. We offer HIGH QUALITY & PLAGIARISM FREE Papers.
How It Works
To make an Order you only need to click on “Order Now” and we will direct you to our Order Page. Fill Our Order Form with all your assignment instructions. Select your deadline and pay for your paper. You will get it few hours before your set deadline.
Are there Discounts?
All new clients are eligible for 20% off in their first Order. Our payment method is safe and secure.