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The Rationalists: DescartesThe Rationalists: Descartes
Rational Truth, God (the return), Rational Truth, God (the return), and the Cartesian Circleand the Cartesian Circle
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
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Meditation 4: Reminder Meditation 4: Reminder
Theory of Error: Misuse of Will outside of the limits of our understanding
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
Theory of Truth: Use our will within the limits of our understanding!
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OutlineOutline
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
Meditation 5:
1. Rational truths
2. Existence of God – Ontological Argument
3. Cartesian Circle
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Rational TruthsRational Truths
Distinct ideas about the bodies: mathematical notions – extension in time
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
These ideas are innate: I discover them in my mind
While they “live” in my mind, their truth is still independent of my mind:
- I did not fabricate them
- They have true properties that are independent of my mind (even if they exist in my mind)
Rejection of empiricism: not all abstract ideas can come from the senses
Rationalism vs EmpiricismRationalism vs Empiricism
EMPIRICISM RATIONALISM
All knowledge comes from experience
Some knowledge comes from pure reason (indep. of experience)
Knowledge not perfectly grounded – different levels of skepticism / agnosticism
Knowledge from pure reason is superior to knowledge from experience – true knowledge
Mathematical truths and logic: generalization from the senses and void of content
Mathematical truths and logic: - Part of our hardware - Necessary Truths
Metaphysics: Only sensible, observable bodies exist
Metaphysics: Not only sensible bodies, but also ideas and/or laws etc. exist
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 5
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Ontological ArgumentOntological Argument
A mathematical demonstration: idea of God is innate like the idea of the triangle – we can make the same kind of reasoning
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
The argument: The idea of God contains Its existence
Example: The triangle, the mountain and the valley
Objections: Mountain and the valley don’t exits, different idea of God
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Cartesian CircleCartesian Circle
A vicious circle?
1. The existence of a truthful God relies on the truth of clear and distinct ideas
2. The Truth of clear and distinct ideas relies on the existence of God
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
Answer:
1. The ontological argument is not what guarantees the truth of clear and distinct ideas (proofs of God in Med. 3, not five)
2. “truth of clear and distinct ideas” does not mean the same is (1) and (2) above: truth of an instant / eternal truth