De Anza College Chapter 2 Rene Descartes Rationalism Study Questions Quiz 9 Preparing for Quiz 9 Descartes’ Rationalism Rene Descartes In this section we

De Anza College Chapter 2 Rene Descartes Rationalism Study Questions Quiz 9 Preparing for Quiz 9 Descartes’ Rationalism

Rene Descartes

In this section we continue our study of rationalism in epistemology. We read a modern rationalist, Rene Descartes.

This is the material for Quiz 9. Answer the questions at the bottom of the page in your blue books.

Readings (Required)

DP Ch 2 “Rene Descartes’ Rationalism”
DP Ch 4 “Dualism” (material on Descartes only)
Meditation I (Links to an external site.), Meditation II. (Links to an external site.)
View the Movie “Abre Los Ojos” in class. (Only in face to face classes, not online)
Watch Richard Brown’s Excellent Lectures on Descartes’ Method of Doubt

6. Watch Richard Brown’a 2nd video on Descartes

Descartes 2: A Priori Knowledge and Mind/Body Dualism (Links to an external site.)

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Study Questions Quiz 9

You should be able to answer the questions as prep for the quiz :

What is the difference between a priori and a posteriori knowledge?
The question of whether or not Jupiter has moons is an astronomical matter; it’s not a question of theology or Scripture. So why did the Church find this discovery alarming?
What is Descartes’ definition of certainty?
What is Methodological (or Radical) Doubt?
What is the Dream Argument?
What is Descartes’ Evil Genius Hypothesis? Does he think the Evil Genius could trick us into thinking 2+2=4 when it really is not?
Explain the significance of “Cogito Ergo sum” in the philosophy of Descartes. How does it provide a foundation for knowledge of the world around us?
What is “Cartesian dualism”?
What is Descartes’ argument of the wax? What does Descartes think it proves? NOTE: An argument is a set of statements (premises and conclusion). So if I ask you to give an argument, I mean you should give all the statements that comprise the argument (the premises AND the conclusion — not just the conclusion).
Why can’t the senses provide a firm foundation for knowledge? How is this similar to Plato?
Explain why Descartes thinks the mind is not a physical thing (brain).
What is the difference between the Common Sense Picture of Perception and Descartes’ picture?
Why does Descartes think he has accomplished his mission that there is a material world beyond his mind that he can have knowledge of?
Order the steps in Descartes’ argument to knowledge: a) Cogito ergo sum, b)The Dream Argument c) The Evil Genius Hypothesis, d) Descartes Imperfection argument for God e) Descartes’ conclusion that we can know the external world.