Epistemology:06. Descartes' Proof of the External World Flashcards
(12 cards)
What does Descartes need to show to avoid skepticism?
He is not being deceived by an evil demon and the physical world exists (he is not dreaming).
What is the Wax Argument?
When wax is melted, it loses its sensory qualities yet is still recognized as the same wax, showing that our understanding of physical objects is not based on sensory qualities.
What remains the same when wax undergoes changes?
The concept of the wax as something extended and changeable.
How does Descartes conclude that the wax’s properties do not derive from imagination?
Because the understanding of the wax is clear and distinct, not based on perceptual experiences.
What is the significance of clear and distinct ideas in Descartes’ philosophy?
They are believed to be true, allowing the conclusion that material objects are extended if they exist.
What is the implication of Meditation VI regarding God’s capabilities in the creation of physical objects?
The concept of a physical object is not contradictory, so if God exists, it is possible that physical objects exist.
Why is deception considered an imperfection in Descartes’ argument?
Being deceived is bad as it results in a loss of truth and causing something bad is wrong.
Cause of perceptual experiences: If the _____ is God, then God has created me with a very strong ______ to have a ____ _____ belief that I ______ correct.
If the cause is God, then God has created me with a very strong tendency to have a false belief that I cannot correct.
Fill in the blank: The cause of perception is either ______, God or another mind, or physical objects.
Descartes’ own mind
What does Descartes conclude about the source of his experiences of a physical world?
The cause of his experiences of a physical world is the physical world.
Outline the proof of the external world (Part 1 with God)
P1.I have a clear and distinct idea of what a physical object is.(God exists and is supremely powerful.)
P2>.The only reason for thinking that God cannot make something is that the concept of it is contradictory.
C1.Therefore, God can make physical objects.
C2.Therefore, (if God exists) it is possible that physical objects exist.
Outline the proof of the external world (Part 1 with God)
P1.The imagination uses images.
P2. Imagining takes more effort than understanding.
C1. Therefore, imagination and understanding are different.
P3. Imagination is not essential to me, while understanding is. I cannot be me (a thinking thing) without understanding, but I can be me without imagination.
P4. The best explanation for all these differences is that imagination depends upon having a body. (Imagination draws its ideas from the body, which makes its ideas sensory images and difficult to work with, and makes imagination not essential to a thinking thing. Being purely mental, understanding draws its ideas from itself, making them non-imagistic and easy to work with, and understanding is essential to a thinking thing.)
C2.Therefore, it is probable that the body (a physical object) exists.
