|
|
This is only a preview of the paper
Click here to register and get the full text.
Existing members click here to login
|
|
|
René Descartes was one of the most important Western philosophers of the past few centuries. Descartes' was known for the philosophical ideas are those of a method of hyperbolic doubt, and the argument that, though he may doubt, he cannot doubt that he exists. Descartes proves that he himself must have the basic characterisitc of thinking, and that this thinking thing (mind) is quite distinct from his body; the existence of a God; the existence and nature of the external world; and so on. David Hume was an eighteenth century Scottish philosopher and historian. Hume's empiricist philosophy is a revolutionary view of causality, the problem of induction, and the distinction between fact and value. Hume was seen as a skeptic because he was doubtful about the existence of God, the existence of the external world and about morals and truths. What is the proof that mankind has that can prove our existence. Can we prove our existence or is it just a belief that we have. In this paper I will explain the evil genius hypothesis and “the cogito, ergo sum” which is philosopher Rene Descartes argument in defense of knowing the “I”. I will also take the position of philosopher David Hume and reply to the argument presented by Descartes. I will respond to Hume’s argument in the role of Descartes. I will give two criticisms as Hume against Descartes to show that his hypothesis is problematic and false. I will then at last offer two possible arguments that Descartes could give in response to Hume’s Criticisms. The Evil Genius hypothesis by Descartes challenged the possibility that we have any knowledge, whether a priori or a posteriori (double 53). The purpose of the Evil Demon is to set up the possibility of skepticism so that it can be refuted (Blackburn 26). In the meditation I by Descartes he describes the evil genius and shows the effect that it has on him. “I shall suppose, not that God who is supremely good and the fountain of truth, but some evil genius not less powerful than deceitful, has employed his whole energies in deceiving me; I shall consider that the heavens, the earth, colours, figures, sound and all other external things are nought but the illusions and dreams of which this genius has availed himself in order to lay traps for my credulity”.
Approximate Word count = 1456
Approximate Pages = 5.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
|
|
|
|