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Title: Descartes and the Challenge of Doubt: A Close Examination Introduction In this paper, we will closely examine Descartes's influential work, Meditations on First Philosophy, specifically focusing on Meditation I, where he introduces a radical method of doubt. The objection we will explore pertains to skepticism surrounding Descartes's clear and distinct perceptions. The objection argues that the very act of doubting undermines Descartes's claim to certain knowledge. This paper will present the objection, discuss Descartes's response, and evaluate the strength of their arguments. Meditation I: The Doubt Method Descartes initiates his philosophical journey by employing a radical method of doubt to question his beliefs systematically. His goal is to establish a foundation of undeniable truths upon which to build a secure system of knowledge. In this meditation, Descartes questions the reliability of sensory perceptions and even subjects mathematical truths to doubt, leaving no aspect untouched by skepticism. The Objection: Skepticism and Doubting The objection to Descartes's method arises from within the very act of doubt itself. The objector argues that doubting assumes a thinking person, so the existence of a thinking self is undeniable. If there is a thinking self, then skepticism cannot be absolute, as Descartes claims. The objection suggests that Descartes's doubt collapses under the weight of its own assumptions. Descartes's Reply: The Cogito and Thinking

Descartes response to the objection by introducing the famous Cogito, "I think, therefore I am." He argues that the act of doubt itself presupposes a thinking subject. While the objector relies on the certainty of the thinking self, Descartes maintains that this certainty is foundational and serves as the anchor for subsequent philosophical inquiries. The essence of thought, as expressed in the Cogito, becomes the bedrock upon which Descartes builds his system of knowledge. Moreover, Descartes elucidates that the Cogito is not merely a deductive conclusion but rather an intuitive recognition of the self-evident nature of thought. The indubitability of the Cogito stems from the immediate awareness one has of their own thinking. Descartes underscores the essential connection between thought and existence, solidifying the Cogito as an undeniable truth. Evaluation of the Exchange Descartes's reply successfully addresses the objection by grounding certainty in the undeniable existence of the thinking self. The Cogito serves as an irrefutable foundation upon which he reconstructs knowledge. However, the objection raises an important point regarding the circular nature of Descartes's argument. While the Cogito establishes the certainty of the thinking self, it relies on the assumption that doubt is a genuine intellectual act. This circularity poses a challenge to Descartes's claim of absolute skepticism. In evaluating the exchange, Descartes emerges with a stronger argument due to his successful establishment of a foundational truth. However, the circularity within his response should not be ignored. The objector could have pressed further on the issue of circular reasoning, challenging Descartes to provide a more rigorous defense of the authenticity of doubt. Additionally, Descartes could have addressed potential doubts about the nature of the thinking self, exploring

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