Descartes, Meditation 5

Question 1

Does Descartes believe that seeing is recalling?

Answer 1

Yes. He says that when he takes view of something, it’s like being reminded of something he knew beforehand.

Question 2

Explain mountain and valley analogy.

Answer 2

A mountain is inseparable with a valley in the sense that the existence of God is inseparable from god’s essence.

Question 3

Does Descartes think these thoughts about god’s existence and essence on his own?

Answer 3

No, God forces him to think these things.

Question 4

What does Descartes conclude from the fact that he can’t think of anything besides God that has the existence of God?

Answer 4

That there is only one.

Question 5

True or false: less obvious truths are no less believed once discovered.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What does Descartes claim about clear and distinct perceptions that were proven to be false?

Answer 6

That they weren’t actually clear and distinct perceptions.

Question 7

How does Descartes know that his thoughts are not fabricated?

Answer 7

Because even if a triangle exists only within him, it still has the essence of a triangle in that it has three sides.