RPA#2_ Becoming Modern, Reading Descartes
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Mount Royal University *
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1203
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Philosophy
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Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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RPA#2: Becoming Modern, Reading
Descartes
1.
In the “First Meditation”:
a.
What is the overall plan and conditions that govern the meditations?
He sets out with a plan of subjecting all his beliefs to doubt, aiming to establish a foundation of
knowledge that is beyond possible doubt. Through a systematic process of questioning all his
prior beliefs, even those based on a sensory experience, his goal is to lay the groundwork for an
epistemological structure firmly grounded in certainty. He applies a careful method to
questioning that extends to even the most basic elements of how we perceive things;
Descartes takes skepticism to the extreme, even doubting simple things like what he sees and
feels. His aim is to find a firm and unquestionable foundation on which he can build his
philosophical framework.
b.
What is the role that dreams play in his reasoning?
Descartes employs the concept of dreams to illustrate the frailty of our senses. He highlights the
convincing nature of dream experiences despite their lack of reality. This realization leads him to
doubt the reliability of our senses in providing accurate depictions of the external world.
c.
What does Descartes ultimately decide to do?
In the end, Descartes questions everything to establish an indisputable foundation of
knowledge. His aim is to ensure that his beliefs are completely true. This journey culminates in
his renowned statement, "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), serving as the initial point
for his philosophical exploration of knowledge and existence.
2.
In the “Second Meditation”:
a.
How is Archimedes’ “fulcrum” used as a metaphor in Descartes’ argument?
In the "Second Meditation," Descartes employs Archimedes' "fulcrum" as a metaphor to
illustrate the pivotal point from which he aims to launch his philosophical investigations. Similar
to Archimedes' search for a stable point to move the world using a lever, Descartes endeavors
to find an unwavering base from which he can establish the certainty of his knowledge. The
metaphor of the fulcrum underscores Descartes' pursuit of an immovable starting point for his
philosophical reasoning.
b.
Does he discover that “fulcrum”? Where and what is it?
In the "Second Meditation," Descartes ultimately discovers his foundational "fulcrum" in the
proposition "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am). This realization occurs during his
process of radical doubt, where he concludes that while he can doubt the existence of
everything else, he cannot doubt the existence of himself as a thinking being. This serves as the
starting point from which he begins to establish his philosophical system.
c.
Where does Descartes go once he finds the fulcrum?
Once Descartes finds the foundational "fulcrum" in the proposition "Cogito, ergo sum" in the
"Second Meditation," he proceeds to develop his philosophical argument by examining the
implications of his own existence and the nature of his thoughts. He begins to explore the
relationship between the mind and the body and delves into the existence of God, laying the
groundwork for further investigations of knowledge and reality.
d.
How is wax used as an example? What does it prove?
Descartes employs the example of wax to showcase the limitations of relying exclusively on the
senses for comprehending the essence of objects. He explains how the sensory qualities of
wax, such as its texture, scent, and shape, change when exposed to heat, thereby challenging
the initial understanding of the wax's true nature. This example highlights the fleeting nature of
sensory perceptions and underscores the need for a more reliable source of knowledge, which
Descartes suggests can be accessed through the mind's ability of clear and distinct
understanding.
3.
Summary Questions: (See if you can answer these, we’ll go over them in class).
a.
Descartes defined the modern subject in these meditations, what are the
qualities of that subject?
Rationality: The subject is characterized by the capacity for reasoning and critical thinking.
Doubt: The subject is encouraged to question and doubt all preconceived notions and sensory
experiences in order to arrive at certain and indubitable knowledge.
Self-awareness: The subject possesses self-awareness and introspective capabilities, as
evidenced by Descartes' famous statement "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am).
b.
What effect do you think the conception of the modern subject will have on the
arts?
I think one of my major takeaways was the emphasis on an individual's capacity for rational
thought and introspection which has led to the exploration of individual experiences and
perspective, fostering a deeper focus on human conditions and especially on personal
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