indicating 1) the author and text or source in which the term or phrase occurs,
Rene Descartes an integral part of the scientific revolution, Descartes is one of the
godfather of Enlightment, (Discourse on method)
2) describe briefly its meaning and significance to the text in which it appears
We cant trust our senses because they can be flaw
Systematic doubt:
Breakdown large parts into smaller component parts
Rise from simple to complex (P.25)
Record (and share) research
His approach was because I use reason correctly, I can understand and amass
knowledge which is outside and beyond me
P.23-25
He claimed that rational laws which humans can uncovered by using right
reasons
govern the world
3) and how it impacted Western Culture.
Also promote inductive
I think therefore I am The only way that we know that we exist that is, assure
ourselves that we are not a dream or illusion is because we are able to conceive
our existence through our thoughts.
The sources of our knowledge is our ideas not our practical or empirical
experiences which are derive from our senses. Emphasis on rational rather than
practical and experimental. He states that the source of our ability to reason is
god.
Although his ultimate sources is god, he rejected the bible and all other previous
authorities as the main source of knowledge.
Secondly no knowledge is to be accepted on faith alone
All knowledge must be systematically doubted until absolute certainty is achieved
and no more double is necessary
Thirdly the idea of god was placed in his mind by god.
He argues that all idea are innate (in-born)_
Suggest that human rationality replaced god as the source of knowledge. In fact,
that the existence of god depended on human.
His premises is egocentric- derived from the thinking individual whom all
knowledge depends.
God establishes the ability of thinking within human being, to whom, in turn, god
has also endowed the fee will to take over the process and move forward. ,
Later generations of his followers (historicism) removed god from the process.
Historicism = human existence and experience exist within history without the
need for reference to an extra-historical (or supernatural being)
Descartes claim that if we engage to the right reason (reason systematically and
scientifically) can they understand all knowledge
Convinced that all sciences could be interconnected as a chain and he was the
man to do it
His goal was to seek first principles = the basic building blocks of knowledge
through rationalism
Ratoinalism = right reason systematic reason which is concrete (focus on the
scientific method and secular), not abstract (focus on philosophy and faith)
Idealism knowledge is the products of ideas, which develop from thinking
(rationalism)
These ideas were embedded in the human mind by god and awaken by the
rational soul that is a human ability to think rationally
God is perfect. Human are imperfect. There is no way an imperfect beings know
about a perfect being. The idea of perfectism must have come from God and if so,
so too all ideas. In other words all ideas are innate
Systematic doubt = breaking down general hypothesis into as smaller component
parts as possible (to make them clear and distinct, In other words moving from a
general hypothesis to the specific smaller/facts)
Then step by step analyze these component parts by observation and
experimentation
Leads to more complex hypothesis
New hypothesis has to be systematically doubted in an ordered and orderly
manner to ensure that it is developed in a scientific manner until it is beyond
doubt
Thorough and minute calculation or records must be kept and the findings
constantly reviewed to ensure nothing has been omitted or forgotten, must be
share to elsewhere to ensure its validity.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Systematic doubt until clear and distinct components are discovered
move from general hypothesis to the specific/smaller facts
Enumerate/record/review
Analyze specific elements to create a new hypothesis tor prove the hypothesis
under investigation
5. Continue until no more needs to be done that is, absolute certainty has been
achieved.
Result of his method he developed the hypothesis about the fundemental nature of
human beings I think therefore I am
I think therefore I am and right reason became the mantra mottos of the enlightment
until Sigmund freudn pointed the great influence of non-rational and irrational thinking
and emotion of human thoughts.
Clear and distinct facts become harder to follow as the facts of nature become smaller
and smaller in size and buffeted by the principle of uncertainty