phil 231 descartes

volations

acts of willingness, choosing

To keep his attention focused clearly on his new realizations, Descartes decides to treat his past beliefs as: a) assumptions b)false c)uncertain d)merely probable

b) false

In Meditation 1, does Descartes suppose there is any way to prove that we are not currently stuck in a dream? a)Yes, there is a way to prove we are not currently stuck in a dream b) No, for now there is no way to prove we aren't stuck in a dream

b)No, for now there is no way to prove we aren't stuck in a dream

objective reality

does not mean existence outside of the mind, instead may be innate, sensed, or produced by me only for ideas, not things

metaphysics

study of all of reality

According to Descartes, his idea of an infinite substance must be caused by something infinite, even if there's an evil deceiver. T/F

true

Descartes does not blame God for giving him an limited intellect and a will that can exceed it. T/F

true

Objection to physicalism (dennett)

zombie thought experiment imagine a body thats identical to a person, functions as a person, but no conscious mind -could you do it? dennett says no but if yes, a logical difference between mind and matter (mind adds to situation)

descartes' motivations for finding a guaranteed method for avoiding error

-Because of 30 years war (war between France(Catholic) and Austrian Habsburgs(Protestant) over religion conflict and struggle for political power) he realized they needed a way to resolve disagreements other than fighting

proof from the cause of myself (end of 3)

-I exist-it is not in my power even to sustain my own existence-therefore, I'm not the cause of my own existence (if I were I would have given myself powers!)-therefore, there must be something greater than me that is the cause of me

proof from the essence of the idea "infinite perfect substance" (5)

-idea "infinite (perfect) substance" implies that it exists (its nonexistence is a logical contradiction) ANALOGY what do I know about a triangle? -three angles add up to 180 -longest side opposite of largest angle -a2 + b2 = c2 -- God exists as an idea in descartes' mind and he clearly and distinctly perceives all of his qualities. One of these qualities is existence, so it follows from his clear and distinct perception that God must exist. If existence is the essence of God, then God would not be God if he did not exist, just as a triangle would not be a triangle if it were not three-sided.

proof from the cause of the idea "infinite substance" (3)

1) I have the idea "infinite substance 2) the idea "infinite substance" needs a cause with at least as much reality as itself (both formal and objective) 3) Descartes (or I), a substance, does not have enough reality to cause the idea "infinite substance" (with infinite objective reality) 4) the idea "infinite substance" must be caused by an infinite substance. Therefore, an infinite substance must exist (to cause my idea)

formal reality

Actual existence, whether of ideas in the mind or realities external to the mind.

The idea of the color blue and the idea of a bee have the same: a) formal reality b) objective reality c) truthfulness d) foundation

All ideas are properties in a mind, no matter what they represent (are of/about). This means they all have the same formal reality.

If Descartes is alone in the universe (the only existing being), which of the ideas below could he not invent? (Choose all that are correct.) a) the idea of Santa Claus b) the idea of an infinite substance c) the idea of other people d) the idea of a material being that is more complex than him (e.g., more intelligent or with the powers of a spider)

B- What level of being can Descartes - with the formal reality of a substance - cause? Remember he can produce (make up) the idea of any substance or property, since he has at least as much of his own (formal) reality as these ideas have objective reality

Why does Descartes associate senses and imagination? a) They could both be controlled by the evil genius (at least before he proves this is impossible). b) They are both a kind of picturing. c) They both have limits that don't apply to the intellect. d) All of the above.

You need to understand the relationship between imagination and senses (both collections of sensory data) and the difference between these and intellect (e.g. imagining vs understanding a chiliagon). All of the above are true of senses and imagination.

Which of the below are some of the groups Descartes divides his thoughts into in paragraph (margin#) 37? Include smaller groups he divides bigger groups up into. (This is the 4th paragraph of Meditation 3, which begins, "However, at this stage good order seems to demand that I first group all my thoughts into certain classes . . . .".) a) judgments b) volitions c) perfect and imperfect d) hallucinations e) ones that are like images of things f) willing g) affirming and denying h) fearing

a) judgments b) volitions e) ones that are like images of things f) willing g) affirming and denying h) fearing

What does Descartes define "God" as? a)A substance that is infinite, eternal, immutable, independent, supremely powerful and created all that exists. b)Merely an idea in our minds with finite reality. c)The ultimate pizza baker, who, by bestowing the ultimate pizza upon Descartes, enlightened him to all the truths of nature. d)An evil deceiver, who has deceived us about all things which we cannot know clearly and distinctly.

a)A substance that is infinite, eternal, immutable, independent, supremely powerful and created all that exists.

What does Descartes conclude about the times in the past when he thought something was clearly understood, but he later realized he was wrong? a)The things he thought he understood weren't actually "clearly and distinctly" perceived with his mind. b)This has never happened to Descartes, so it's not an issue he worries about. c)There are two divine beings, and the other (evil) being might have been giving him the false idea. d) These were times when he was dreaming

a)The things he thought he understood weren't actually "clearly and distinctly" perceived with his mind.

What does Descartes conclude, in context, when he says "it is much more consonant with reason to believe them than to deny them" (margin 22)? a)There are some beliefs that are more likely to be true than not, but he's still suspicious of these beliefs. b)He has some beliefs that are more likely to be true than not, and he can go ahead and accept these for now. c)Believing things creates a greater harmony in the soul than being suspicious about everything. d)He should be suspicious of his reasoning ability, since it makes things seem true that are actually false.

a)There are some beliefs that are more likely to be true than not, but he's still suspicious of these beliefs.

Which kinds of errors are the most difficult to explain away, according to Descartes? (See especially paragraph 84.) a)When our bodies direct us toward something dangerous. b)When something relatively small, like a statue, seems large to someone standing directly under it. c)When a person wants to add poison to food but knows that it's morally wrong. d)When we draw conclusions, using our will, beyond what our senses have clearly observed.

a)When our bodies direct us toward something dangerous.

At margin 55, which type of cause does Descartes say is irrelevant for studying the physical world? a)a thing's "end," or purpose b)the energy that initiates events c)how materials interact d)causes that occur earlier in time

a)a thing's "end," or purpose

property of thing

accident, perfection (color of dog- accidents but still there, light brown, little shy) ex. fluffy, purple, angry

What does Descartes notice through the efforts to visualize a triangle and a chiliagon? a)Since he can visualize a chiliagon clearly and distinctly, it must exist, whereas a triangle might or might not exist. b)He can envision the lines of the triangle but not the chiliagon. c)The effort of visualizing them proves that his imagination exists. d)Visualizing with the imagination helps him understand the chiliagon, whereas no visualization is needed for the triangle.

b)He can envision the lines of the triangle but not the chiliagon.

Does Descartes conclude it's possible that he brought himself into existence? a)Yes, it is possible that Descartes is the cause of his own existence. b)No, something other than Descartes caused him to exist.

b)No, something other than Descartes caused him to exist.

In Meditation 4 (margin 53), what reason does Descartes give for concluding the infinite substance couldn't deceive him? a)Even if the infinite substance did trick us, it would turn out to be reality, because whatever God says becomes true. b)Wanting to deceive someone is a sign of weakness. c)He has been taught that a divine being is honest. d)The infinite substance actually CAN deceive him, since the ability to deceive is a sign of cleverness.

b)Wanting to deceive someone is a sign of weakness.

What does Descartes become certain of at the end of Meditation 5? a)The brain exists, as a distinct physical thing b)Whatever he sees clearly and distinctly is true. c)The immaterial soul exists, whether or not there's an evil deceiver. d)We have free will

b)Whatever he sees clearly and distinctly is true.

In Meditation 1, does Descartes claim that we can doubt that 2+3=5? a)No, we cannot doubt that 2+3=5, even now. b) Yes, we can doubt that 2+3=5, for now.

b)Yes, we can doubt that 2+3=5, for now.

At margin 54, Descartes writes that reality and nothingness are: a)neither created nor destroyed b)a matter of degree c)always equal to each other d)neither good nor evil

b)a matter of degree

What makes the natural sciences all "doubtful"? a) They're based on math, which is uncertain. b) They depend on community consensus, and there's too much disagreement. c)They're composed of doubtful things, especially of the physical world. d) They rely on expert authority

c) They're composed of doubtful things, especially of the physical world.

What is the first thing Descartes concludes once and for all that he knows with certainty? a)Things in the world that he senses exist b)His body exists c)His thinking exists d) A piece of wax e)He has free will

c)His thinking exists

What can Descartes confirm from the fact that he can see and touch the piece of wax? (Choose all that are correct) a)the wax must exist, since he can see and touch it. b)A divine being must exist who gave him good faculties. c)Perception is imperfect and confused. d)He must exist to be able to see and touch.

c)Perception is imperfect and confused. d)He must exist to be able to see and touch.

natural light

clear and distint perceptions

adventitious

coming from outside of us, as with sensory perceptions, added extrinsically

What does Descartes mean by a an "evil genius"? a)A partner in debate who is his intellectual equal b)A benevolent god who wants what's best for Descartes c)A being that can make all Descartes' wishes come true instantly d) A being with unlimited intellect who uses its abilities to create illusions

d)A being with unlimited intellect who uses its abilities to create illusions

Which example does Descartes point to as evidence that he might be wrong in how he pictures his body? a)He can use math to figure out his body's spatial location in relation to other object, so a body is unnecessary. b)Other people have said they can't see him. c)It would be logically contradictory for him to exist as a physical body. d)He has seen statues that looked small but were really large.

d)He has seen statues that looked small but were really large.

What does Descartes conclude in this meditation that he ultimately is? (See his answer to the question, "But then what am I?" (margin 28).) a)He is a part of the piece of wax that he feels b)He is his body c)He is an extended substance within space d)He is a thing that thinks

d)He is a thing that thinks

What does Descartes mean when he says, "Yet I certainly do seem to see, hear, and feel warmth. This cannot be false" (para. 29). (You'll need to take a look at the wider context to understand his meaning here.) a)Whatever he senses vividly must actually exist, since his senses can't decieve him.. b)No one could deceive him about what's tangible and visible, such as heat and light. c)He must be dreaming, since none of those things are there. d)He really has feelings of light and warmth, regardless of whether those things are actually there.

d)He really has feelings of light and warmth, regardless of whether those things are actually there.

What does Descartes think is the best arrangement of the physical world, including of the parts of his body? a)In a way that makes each sensation different from ever other sensation so it's easy to recognize what they mean. b)In a way that avoids all possible errors. c)In a way that allows the body to automatically adjust for changes. d)In a way that best protects the body overall.

d)In a way that best protects the body overall.

At the start of Meditation 3, what else is Descartes confident that he has knowledge of (other than the fact that he exists)? a)He knows with confidence that God exists b)That he, as a thinking thing, also has perfect knowledge of basic mathematical truths. c)He is confident that his sensory perceptions give him accurate knowledge about reality d)That he, as a thinking thing, also understands some things and has experiences

d)That he, as a thinking thing, also understands some things and has experiences

Of all of Descartes' ideas, which one does he decide in this Meditation is truest and most "clear and distinct"? a)The idea of the ultimate, perfect pizza b)None of the above c)His body exists d)The idea of God e)the truths of mathematics

d)The idea of God

What main question does Descartes take up at the start of Meditation 6? a)Whether his intellect is really perfect. b)Whether there is an evil deceiver. c)Whether God exists outside the mind. d)Whether physical things (outside the mind) exist.

d)Whether physical things (outside the mind) exist.

What does Descartes decide is necessary to do if he wants to "establish anything in the sciences that was stable and likely to last"? a)Explore the world through his senses in order to find rational truths b)Bake a pizza and hope that, in the process, he would become enlightened to all undoubtable truths of nature c)Doubt some of his beliefs and opinions into doubt d)Search in the Bible for undoubtable truths e)Doubt all his current beliefs and opinions

e)Doubt all his current beliefs and opinions

What happened to the piece of wax when it was held up to his candle flame? a)It was set on fire, subsequently burning Descartes' hand b)All its visible properties except one changed c)It ceased to be a piece of wax d)He melted it in order to put it onto the pizza which he had baked e)Its properties that are observable were altered

e)Its properties that are observable were altered

thing

essense, substance ex. bear

What does the wax example in Meditation 2 prove?

existence of soul can be known first, before gaining confidence in senses we must come to know of the wax by intellect alone, since every sense changed our knowledge cannot come from our senses; its impossible to come to know the wax by imagination because there in an infinite number of shapes that cant be run through

Descartes concludes it's possible for him to clearly and distinctly think of a supremely perfect being without some of the perfections if he wills it strongly enough. T/F

false

In considering where the idea of a triangle came from (para. 65), Descartes concludes the idea may have come to him through his physical senses. T/F

false

affections

feelings of fearing, desiring, etc

modes of thought

ideas (real and imaginary) voltations (willing/choosing) affections (fearing, desiring) judgements

source of ideas

innate: in us adventitious: from the world outside of us, senses produced: invented/made up

Descartes Dualism

intelect does work we atribute to senses (we make whole from parts, gives complete picture, can fail when distracted)

Descartes writes that if he had greater understanding, he would also feel [ Select ] ["more", "less"] inclined toward one direction. In fact, when have a strong intellectual grasp of something, it feels like being motivated by an [ Select ] ["external", "internal"] force.

more, internal

sensory errors

obedience of the body to laws of physics ex. phantom limb

judgements

on ideas (there are no unicorns) on volitations (i decided not to go) on affections (i feel nervous) can be false

physicalism

only physical matter exists; claim about what there is, not just what we know

Dennett & Physicalism

only see parts, no intelect needed to make wholes (no complete picture), can fail due to sensory gaps

What is change blindness?

overlooking a change that should have been noticeable ex. what we see depends on expectations (mental understanding of context) concepts guide what we think we see think: the street experiment with person asking for directions

where do mental errors come from?

pride/arrogance, when the will exceeds the intellect

objection to dualism (descartes)

problem of interaction: if there are two kinds of things (mind and matter) how do they interact? response: pineal gland (in hand) better response: only physical things interact -> problem only emerges if we think of two things 'side by side' (a physical relation)

essence

property or set of properties that the thing cannot do without ex. triangle: 3 sides, 3 angles

What role does the evil deceiver play in the overall argument

proves intellect is more reliable than senses

epistemology

study of knowledge (how our minds work, how we gain knowledge, belief)

dualism

the presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact

Foundationalism

the view that if there is any knowledge or justified belief then that knowledge or justified belief rests on a "foundation" of knowledge and justified belief that does not depend on inference from anything else known or justifiably believed. procedure 1. grasp all premises clearly and distinctly 2. divide the problem/concept into simple parts 3. build from simple to complex