background... Aristotlean TOK med\2 rise of science the cogito - a killer blow to scepticism? Reformation even if i am being absolutely deceived, i still am mathematician what am i? i am a [rationalism] mind all that is certain is a priori, sense knowledge was too shaky he has found a sure foundation for knowledge (again against Aristotle) dualism returns to western philosophy med3 med\1 tries to build on this new found foundation the search for a firm foundation the meditations “clear & distinct [rational / a priori] perception” c&d rule => maths things... unifying all knowledge claims but evil demon..?!? radical doubt - out-scepticalising the sceptics perceptions of God building a structure with not one dodgy strut material world Trademark Argument from a priori idea of perfection rejection of sense attained (a posteriori) knowledge God as guarantor to all further knowledge -madness and dream argument but some sorts of knowledge survive..(maths, dream is related to real) Descartes’ rejection of a priori knowledge (evil genius/matrix) GOD goodbye Aristotle? structure med\6 Descartes now takes on the sceptics 1 clear & distinct rule moving from God to the material world perceptions of things come from outside (a posteriori) cogito - as not from God (no deception) reason over perception (you recognise your mistakes) ‘a tale of two minds’ - intellect and imagination a & evaluation - God guarantees both (no deception) ‘conquering his greatest weapon’ defeating the dream arg. - distinguishing reality RD’s Method was he sincere? rigorous? revision idea: use the statements on 46 of the is the dream argument illogical? LTS Descartes Support Notes* and discuss with can he take us out of the doubt he creates? someone whether you think each is true... is his goal realistic? reliance on God causes with less reality than the effect the Cogito are there really innate ideas? what if the demon messes with logic too? or even language (thought etc)? could a good God not deceive us? Georg Lichtenberg - problem of ‘I’ could the demon taunt us by creating an Russell - ‘perceptions exist’ at most idea of perfection? Descartes’ rule Ayer - ‘there are thoughts’ cannot defeat without God RD cannot move any further is generalising permissible? evil demon than the Cogito... Cartesian Circle

2 rené descartes* rmpsrevision.org 1 chiliagon image - it.wikipedia.org 2 rd image -kidsthinkaboutit.com * available at http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/nationalqualifications/resources/p/nqresource_tcm4640711.asp