Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 831 Location: Bonny Scotland
Gods Existance Posted: 10-11-04 17:04pm
Who studies philosophy, I thought I would
try and be cool and take up an extra class
to keeo my mind busy while chris was away.
Well my head is about to explode trying
my hrdest to get it round all this god
stuff lol thought I would let you all read
my first essay it isnt very long, but here
goes. It's a load of crap!
To what extent does descartes defeat the
sceptic
rene descartes’ aim was to defeat the
sceptic and find something that could be
known with certainty. This could form the
basis of knowledge. He used the method of
doubt that argued that the senses
sometimes deceive us. Having concluded
that he would have to be mad to consider
that his senses can mislead him
completely, he tries to see if it is
possible that he is currently dreaming.
In dreams the senses can give us the same
information as in real life. He concludes
that his dreams contain objects, which
have too much detail that must come from
things that are real. Also mathematical
truths exist independently from our minds
e.G. 4 + 4 = 8. Logic tells us this is
true. But descartes points out; perhaps
there is an evil genius that is deceiving
us about everything we know, even our own
existence!
With this descartes arrives at his second
method with an argument called “the
cogito”. From the statement cogito ergo
sum, I think, therefore I am. This is a
necessary truth and is impossible to be
false! Descartes argues that, even if he
is being deceived, it must be true that he
exists in order for this to happen.
Although there is no greater power than
god, he cannot be the evil genius.
Descartes gives two arguments of god’s
existence the causal and ontological. The
causal being, we start with an idea of
god. Nothing is greater than god, so the
lesser could not give rise to the greater
meaning, the idea of god must be caused by
something equal to god. That is god! The
ontological argument: we have an idea of
god and he is perfect! Something can
exist only in the mind or both in the mind
and reality. It is less perfect to exist
only in the mind. But god is perfect.
Therefore god exists in reality.
Although the cogito could be seen as
strength, for it being a clear and
distinct idea. The sceptics would argue
that the existence of god is presupposed.
It is questionable that he is perfect at
all for in different societies god means
and symbolises different things.
I know we all love a good arguement to get
stuck in ladies
