L3 - Rene Descartes, Discourse on the Method

Question 1

The diversity of our opinions comes not from (blank), but from (blank).

Answer 1

Some people being more reasonable than others, we lead our thoughts along different paths.

Question 2

PC: What attitude does Descartes display?

Answer 2

Humility

Question 3

What did Descartes find after having educated himself?

Answer 3

He hadn’t learned much, but had discovered more and more his ignorance.

Question 4

When one spends too much time traveling, one eventually becomes…

Answer 4

A stranger in one’s own country.

Question 5

Descartes learned not to believe anything too firmly that he had been persuaded only by… (2 things)

Answer 5

Example and custom.

Question 6

Descartes did what about all previous beliefs?

Answer 6

He got rid of them.

Question 7

What 2 kinds people shouldn’t rid themselves of all beliefs?

Answer 7

1. Those who think they know more than they do.
2. Those who have enough reason to know that they don’t have enough reason, and can do better by listening to others.

Question 8

What are the 4 rules of Descartes’ method?

Answer 8

1. Never accept anything as true unless you know it to be.
2. Divide problems into as many parts as needed in order to be understood.
3. Start to understand the smallest of truths before working your way gradually to bigger ones.
4. Explain things so completely to make sure you don’t omit anything.

Question 9

What are the 2 ways we could distinguish true men from machines that resemble men?

Answer 9

1. They wouldn’t be able to declare their thoughts to others.
2. They would not be able to perform all the tasks humans perform.

Question 10

What does Descartes believe about the human soul (unlike those of animals)?

Answer 10

It is immortal