Descartes is known for doubting physical objects and people around him. He argues anything that can be doubted should be treated as false. The term knowledge to Descartes means an event or occurrence that is true. Knowledge requires certainty, and without that certainty, it cannot exist. Descartes’ dream hypothesis and evil demon hypothesis show that anything in our world can be fabricated. He argues that the only aspect of life, a person, can know for sure is that they are a thinking being. Any other sense data can be argued as devised. This paper will defend Descartes views and show that almost anything can be questioned. In 1619, Descartes decided to throw out all the knowledge he perceived with his senses. Anything that he could not
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Our TA asked us if we would live in this virtual reality and many of us said no including myself. Then he asked why did we chose the reality we are in now? That question was frightening, but it also showed me Descartes views can be easily argued for. In the examples above Descartes shows the Dream and Evil demon hypothesis. I do not believe that he means these statements literally. In the third meditation, Descartes talks about the idea of God. After reading this one can come to the conclusion that Descartes does believe there is a God out there even though his religion is not clear. Off of that premise, I came to the conclusion that Descartes does not truly believe we are in a simulation, dream, or are even being tempted by an evil demon. These ideas are not supposed to be taken literally. He instead uses these points to show a bigger truth that nothing can be proven with our senses. How can one prove that anything around them is real? Without senses and the knowledge people have been taught over time, there is no way to prove the life around them is real. Descartes argues that nothing is certain without knowledge to back it up. At a time when most philosophers used God to back their …show more content…
My knowledge on dreams and how they affect people helps show that the Descartes Dream Hypothesis is true. A person cannot tell the difference between dreams and reality. Feelings and emotions are found in both instances. So how do you know whether or not the reality we are in is not a dream? The answer is there is no way to tell. Descartes says that when he is in a dream he can feel the heat of a fire even though the fire is not there. That feeling of warmth seems real even though he is asleep. Descartes senses deceive him which makes him question if his senses are always deceptive. In Conclusion, Descartes argues that one cannot prove we exist or are part of a concrete world. Every aspect of the world found around us could be fabricated. Everything our senses tell us to be true could be a lie. Descartes ideas prove these statements through intriguing logic and convincing hypothesizes. However, there is one argument Descartes, says, can be proven. This is the idea that humans think and have knowledge within their minds. Specifically, that thoughts have to originate from somewhere. Descartes uses the phrase I think therefore, I am or Cogito ergo sum. This statement is enough evidence
Our TA asked us if we would live in this virtual reality and many of us said no including myself. Then he asked why did we chose the reality we are in now? That question was frightening, but it also showed me Descartes views can be easily argued for. In the examples above Descartes shows the Dream and Evil demon hypothesis. I do not believe that he means these statements literally. In the third meditation, Descartes talks about the idea of God. After reading this one can come to the conclusion that Descartes does believe there is a God out there even though his religion is not clear. Off of that premise, I came to the conclusion that Descartes does not truly believe we are in a simulation, dream, or are even being tempted by an evil demon. These ideas are not supposed to be taken literally. He instead uses these points to show a bigger truth that nothing can be proven with our senses. How can one prove that anything around them is real? Without senses and the knowledge people have been taught over time, there is no way to prove the life around them is real. Descartes argues that nothing is certain without knowledge to back it up. At a time when most philosophers used God to back their …show more content…
My knowledge on dreams and how they affect people helps show that the Descartes Dream Hypothesis is true. A person cannot tell the difference between dreams and reality. Feelings and emotions are found in both instances. So how do you know whether or not the reality we are in is not a dream? The answer is there is no way to tell. Descartes says that when he is in a dream he can feel the heat of a fire even though the fire is not there. That feeling of warmth seems real even though he is asleep. Descartes senses deceive him which makes him question if his senses are always deceptive. In Conclusion, Descartes argues that one cannot prove we exist or are part of a concrete world. Every aspect of the world found around us could be fabricated. Everything our senses tell us to be true could be a lie. Descartes ideas prove these statements through intriguing logic and convincing hypothesizes. However, there is one argument Descartes, says, can be proven. This is the idea that humans think and have knowledge within their minds. Specifically, that thoughts have to originate from somewhere. Descartes uses the phrase I think therefore, I am or Cogito ergo sum. This statement is enough evidence