centuries. But can we really say that we have an enduring self? Do we depend on others or are we independent? I believe that we do have an enduring self. We are not fully independent we depend on others to know who we really are. Philosophers like Plato‚ Rene Descartes‚ and John Locke believed that we all have an enduring self. A self that never changes‚ that keeps us the same person from the moment we are born till we die. According to philosopher Diotima‚ “we speak of an individual as being the same as
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Rene Descartes‚ John Locke‚ and David Hume are three of the most fundamental and inspiring philosophers in history. Three very different men‚ with very different views‚ all sharing the same goals; to find the true meaning of the ‘self‚’ to discover the true definition of what knowledge is‚ how to obtain knowledge‚ and the relationship between the body and mind. All three had distinctions in their theories that separated them from each other. Some ideas were shared amongst them‚ however majority
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Chapter Five Review What Is the Nature of Reality? * The philosophical study of metaphysics examines issues beyond the physical world such as the meaning of life‚ the existence of free will‚ and the fundamental principles of the universe * Metaphysicians attempt to explain the nature of reality itself. * Aristotle laid the foundations for this branch of philosophy in his Metaphysics * Philosophical inquiry into the nature of truth is called epistemology * The study of epistemology
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DESCARTES AND LOCKE (Knowledge) One of the most important branches in philosophy‚ is Epistemology‚ which means‚ theory of knowledge. So far‚ philosophers have made many attempts to discover the source of knowledge‚ the standards or criteria by which we can judge the reliability of knowledge. We tend to be satisfied with think what we know about almost everything‚ even though sometimes we are shocked to discover that something that we thought it was sure and certain
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things‚ Descartes breaks down Aristotle’s notion that all knowledge comes via the senses and that mental states must in some way resemble what they are about. In so doing‚ he develops an entirely new conception of mind‚ matter‚ ideas‚ and much more. Rene Descartes explains that in order to even begin to grasp what the difference is between what is certain and what is not‚ one must first learn how not to rely on their senses and to use skepticism in order to develop one’s certainty of the world. In
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1. According to Descartes‚ the reason for hyperbolic doubt is to handle what he believes to be doubting everything. He feels if you were to doubt everything‚ you will a better base for true knowledge. He uses the example of Illusions‚ Dreams‚ and Evil Demons. Since Illusions and Dreams are a part of evil demons‚ if you were to defeated the evil demon you would also conquer Illusions and dreams. Descartes also explains if God were to exist‚ he wouldn’t allow an Evil Demon to trick us. Descartes begins
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Brooke Molder 21 April 2013 Aristotle Santas Final Exam Essay The Age of Philosophy The term philosophy was brought about from the ancient Greeks meaning “wisdom of love.” The true nature behind this social science is to use reason and logic to fully understand certain things. It is the study of knowledge‚ reality‚ and existence‚ especially as an academic discipline. The question every philosopher wants answered is‚ “How do we know the knowledge that we do?” There is a process they go through
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Distinction of Mind from Body Using the arguments from doubt‚ from clear and distinct perceptions‚ and from simplicity‚ Descartes attempts to prove in “The Meditations” that the mind is distinct and separate from the body. This view is now known as Cartesian Dualism. In this essay I will outline Descartes’ main arguments‚ some of the criticisms of dualism‚ and my opinion as to which argument I perceive as the most convincing. The first argument in Cartesian Dualism is the Argument from doubt
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Before the 16th century‚ Europe had a radically different approach and view of science. At that time‚ this system of explaining the universe and superstition were seen as equal counterparts. There was a belief almost‚ that the ways of life could not be explained logically‚ but only by superstition and the mysterious actions of God. That assumption was created in part by the Catholic church and since‚ the church influenced a large portion of the common people’s time and lives‚ science remained as
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memories‚ emotions‚ passions‚ and intellect. As a result of our ever-present wonder‚ philosophers have theorized over the course of many centuries about the nature of the human experience – during the 17th century‚ the Age of Reason brought about Rene Descartes’ concepts of innate knowledge‚ mind/body dualism‚ and theories of consciousness as a byproduct of the mind. These ideas transformed the face of philosophy and solidified Descartes as the venerable “Father of Philosophy” until John Locke’s
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