Descartes and the problem of skepticism | Question: In Meditation III‚ Descartes argues that his idea of God could not have come from him‚ and so God must exist. How does this argument go? | Overview René Descartes was a great scientist‚ mathematician and philosopher. He was known for his extensive work on skepticism‚ and in particular a piece called “Meditations on First Philosophy” (written in 1641) which is still widely used by modern philosophers. In this publication‚ Descartes’ aim
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Is skepticism self-refuting? Immanuel Kant argued that although human knowledge comes from experience‚ nonetheless knowledge must be grounded in some necessary truths. It is hard to see how the existence of logically and metaphysically necessary truths is enough to ground human knowledge. Following Kant’s reasoning‚ there are certain types of knowledge we have no access to. I will argue that Presuppositionalism is more plausible than Kant’s skepticism about certain types of knowledge‚ and that from
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Plot: "Twelve Angry Men" is an interesting and exciting jury-room confrontation in which an "open and shut case" becomes strenuous as twelve strangers scuffle for answers. The trial involves a nineteen-year-old boy‚ who is suspect of killing his father in a late-night altercation with an extraordinary knife. His fate now lies in the hands of 12 jurors‚ each with his own determination to solve the case and reveal the truth. As the session takes its course‚ evidence becomes scrutinised‚ tempers rise
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Shadow of a Doubt: The Function of the “Doubt” The film Shadow of a Doubt (Hitchcock 1943) is most definitely true to its title. The very structure of the film is based on doubts: What are the motivations of these characters? How will the plot line resolve? According to Hitchcock’s “Enjoyment of Fear‚” suspense is created by a gradual “leading up to” the moment of fear‚ as opposed to a sudden shock of terror. Hence‚ the suspense in this film is primarily created by doubts. It is the build-up‚ the
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Descartes’s Dream Argument This would all be well and good‚ were I not a man who is accustomed to sleeping at night‚ and to experiencing in my dreams the very same things‚ or now and then even less plausible ones‚ as these insane people do when they are awake. How often does my evening slumber persuade me of such ordinary things as these: that I am here‚ clothed in my dressing gown‚ seated next to the fireplace – when in fact I am lying undressed in bed! But right now my eyes are certainly wide
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2. In the tale “The ring of Gyges” the shepherd Gyges finds a magical ring within unusual bronze horse. Using this ring‚ he entices the queen and they collaborate to murder the king and takes control of the kingdom. Given his tale‚ Glaucon come to a conclusion that if similar rings were to be given to unjust man and a just man‚ then both of them would behave unjustly. Therefore this proves that people act justly only as an obligation by nature and he claims that all living beings aspire more than
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According to the article‚ Hu Shih suggested that the significance of the new thought lies on the critical attitude. The critical attitude means people have to judge things by distinguishing both their pros and cons. In order to achieve this attitude‚ Hu Shih claimed that two methods should be adopted‚ which are study of the problems and the introduction of academic theories. He has explained the rationale behind in detail. Through this thinking method‚ Hu also mentioned that national heritage should
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Cynicism Cynicism is one of the most striking of all the Hellenistic philosophies. It offered people the possibility of happiness and freedom from suffering in an age of uncertainty. Although there was never an official Cynic doctrine‚ the fundamental principles of Cynicism can be summarised as follows: 1. The goal of life is happiness which is to live in agreement with Nature. 2. Happiness depends on being self-sufficient‚ and a master of mental attitude. 3. Self-sufficiency is achieved
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Both Stoicism and Skepticism are comprised of quite an extreme and contrasting set of beliefs‚ leading Skeptics into non-intervention of any kind in the political sphere or lead Stoics into it specifically for its virtuosity. Cicero‚ in my opinion‚ offers a balanced third way‚ or a middle ground‚ that offers a flexible route in understanding political thought with a new understanding of the state and its governmental structure. Sabine‚ in the introductory essay‚ mentions the shift that occurred in
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people hear the term skepticism used philosophically they tend to associate and think of it only as a constant behavior and attitude of death and doubt. People fail to realize that Skepticism is merely the philosophical view of the uncertainty of the world as it is. Skepticism comes from the word skeptesthai meaning examine‚ and Skepsis meaning investigation. Skepticism began during fifth century B.C. when Greek philosophers began to question knowledge and discoveries. Skepticism began with Gorgias
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