Meditation on First Philosophy PE 107-113

Meditation 2: Concerning the Nature of the Human Mind: That It Is Better Known   Than the Body

This meditation is dedicated to discovering if there is anything of which he can be absolutely certain. First there is a set of problems for which he needs the answer.

The first problem continues from the first meditation and that is of the evil deceiver.  The problem lies that in order to be deceived it must be certain that he exists. Descartes concludes that the fact that he doubts or wonders why he exists proves he exists. This then poses the question of, Who is the Who that wonders? He know he exists because he is a “thinking thing”.

His second problem lays with the question of what am I? The I that exists is that of a body and soul.  Then following Descartes methodology we must break down the body and soul. The body which is doubtable because it is finite and because we don’t know of the evil deceiver and the soul, which is what I am, a mind, a way of functioning and infinite.

The third problem asks what the soul is.  Descartes answers this by saying it is simply a thinking thing.  

Again to follow the methodology, what is a thinking thing?  We can conclude that it is something that has senses, intellect, doubt, willing and many more attributes that give the thinking thing power.

Finally we ask, what is a body?  For Descartes it can be described the relationship between the internal and external worlds an extended thing.

Meditation on First Philosophy PE 97-107

Meditation One: Concerning Those Things That Can Be Called Into Doubt

So Descartes has given us a method to which we are supposed to read him. We have to read him critically and to follow his strict methodology for which he has laid out for us.  He lays out the reasons for which we are to doubt and they are as follows:

1.    Sense Perception: for intensive purposes our senses are not to be trusted.  All information that they gather can be considered false and unreliable.   

2.    Madness although he says himself he is not a madman. The only way that you can deny that you exist and that you sit and read this blog as I have typed it would be to say that you are insane a human being.

3.    Dreams: Descartes says that the imagery we see in our dreams comes from the reality we see when we are awake. This imagery is easily confused between the time he is awake and the time he is asleep.

4.    Evil Deceiver: cannot be sure that God is not some kind of evil deceiver. He understands that God is good and cannot understand why God would want to deceive him. 

Discourse on Method PE 64-82

In Parts 3-6 Descartes he continues to try and explain his method of reasoning and begins to layout some ground rules for each.

Part 3 gives a moral code to which we are to live by or the Maxims for the Best Life. He begins with the rule to obey the laws and customs of our country and religion.  Second, always be decisive and stick with your decisions. Third, try to change himself and not the world around him. He seeks knowledge for his benefit and his alone. Lastly, to examine all the occupations of the world in order to try and choose the best one.  

Part 4 He discovers that there is a certain truth we cannot doubt but to doubt everything that can be doubted.  He proceeds to doubt the nature of his dreams and his senses. He then infers that he is a “thinking thing” that is how he knows not to doubt himself. “I think therefore I am” Also Descartes offers proofs that the soul and God exist.  

Part 5 Descartes dissects the theory of anatomy by using animals. He considers that animals have the same types of bodies as animals as in our organs and limbs but fall short of the power of speech or reasoning nor intelligence at all. He then explains human’s “rational soul.” Which I find a little confusing as to wear the idea of the soul came from? It seems as though he has inferred so many things that this one he just assumed we would accept because he has lead up to this point?  There is a connection between the body and soul that he cannot explain but exists and that make the body and soul separate and thus the soul is an eternal.

Part 6 Descartes talks of the conflicts with the church over his writing hence the reason he picked carefully what he chose to publish, because he would not be seen as someone who went against the church. It was one of his rules in this Discourse. 

Discourse on Method PE 46-64

Is this writing Descartes tries to explain his method with stories of his life to which he shows how he has come to these conclusions. Each one of parts described below are in my own interpretation of his writing.

In Part 1 he explains how common sense is essential to a successful life. Just because you are intelligent or what we would now call "book smart" doesn't mean you are wise. This is what separates men from beasts. Every man has equal opportunity and Descartes Discourse on Method, is attempting to show that how you achieve the knowledge is more important that the conclusion.

Descartes then discusses education and prejudices. Where the conclusion can be drawn that he means to say that just because you see something one way and make your own judgments and assumptions doesn't make it so. 

Descartes then makes it clear to the reader that this is his own method and these are his thoughts and they should not be taken as “gospel” but as one learning tool on how to achieve their own goals of knowledge.

In another anecdote about his younger years he explains how he has received years and years of formal education and yet he finds he is still ignorant to the problems faced by the world and their solutions. Education doesn’t always translate into real world scenarios.

After he makes an argument for why education is sometimes overrated he them formulates an argument for formal education explaining that he does understand why we are urged to be educated because it is the basic knowledge taught will help make your everyday life easier.  

Decartes: Rules for The Direction of the Mind

            In Descartes first 3 Rules he sets out to explain the importance of certainty in his thinking .Rule 1 sets out to explain how we can use our common senses and judgments through experience to gain more knowledge. He explains that if you have any type of knowledge at all, if you perceive it to be true will only lead to more and truer knowledge.
            In Rule 2, he contends we must only concern ourselves with objects for which we know to be certain. He says, "So it is better not to study at all than to occupy oneself with objects so difficult that, in our ability to distinguish true from false, we are forced to admit doubtful things for certain, for in these matters there is not so much hope of increasing our learning is danger of diminishing it".So don't worry about things that you know you cannot understand it is pointless to try because you will never understand them and they will only lead you away from knowing the things you are capable of understanding.
             Rule 3 says that we should only study objects that we ourselves can understand through our own knowledge.  You may only fully understand a notion if you have learned it clearly and on your own and with no help of others.

Rule 4 shows how the mind must have a clear method in order to understand true knowledge. This set of rules that make up his method will help you successfully attain the knowledge of all things.

Rule 5 shows that everything thing should be broken into its simplest form and from there can be truly examined.

Rule 6 once everything is broken into its simplest forms then you should break down each simplified part into carrying degrees and compare the complexities of them. Some things are “absolute” are pure and simple and cannot be broken down any farther but some things are “relative” and can be broken down and compared to their “absolute” parts.

Rule 7 states that no matter what the cause you should not skip any steps of the method.

Rule 8 asks that you avoid making things more complex than they have to be in order to prevent confusion in your understanding.

Rule 9 asks that you concentrate on the simplest elements of which you seek knowledge.  He shows that the operations of our intellect are intuition and deduction. If we use these tools wisely and often we will eventually be able to know the simple truths of our knowledge.

Rule 10 says that in order to fully understand everything start with the simplest of tasks first, then move your way, although this is not for everyone, into the more complex issues. It’s important for everyone to learn at their own pace.

Rule 11concerns intuition and deduction.  If you are using your intuitions and it leads you to doubts about your deductions you should continue on your path and further analyze the problem.