Descartes, Discourses on Method

What is Epistemology?

• Theory of Knowledge

• Theory of Nature

• Theory of Human Beings

• Theory of Sciences

What are the 4 precepts?

• Never accept as true anything that isn't certainly so

• Divide into smallest parts

• Start simple, then go complex

• Omit nothing - be as thorough as possible

What do we need for exploring the world?

• Certainty

• Chaos

Why does Descartes argue that it's fundamental to conceptions of personhood?

• "You are the thing inside of your body"

• "You are the thing inside of your authenticity"

What is theme of "thinking means existing" represent?

• I am thinking, therefore I exist

• The thinker/soul

• God

• Establish truth

What does the theme of "human being" represent?

• I am thinking, therefore I exist

• The Thinker/soul

• God

• Establish truth

What does the theme "Disembodied Conciousness" represent?

• I am thinking, therefore I exist

• The Thinker/soul

• God

• Establish truth

What does the theme "Skepticism" represent?

• I am thinking, therefore I exist

• The Thinker/soul

• God

• Establish truth

What does the theme "Reason and Humanity" represent?

• Reason - Fundamental part of human nature

• Humanity - Have an immoral soul and intelligence that animals lack

• Reason - Fundamental part of animals

• Humanity - Have an immoral soul and intelligence that humans lack

What does the theme "Importance of Mathematics" represent?

• Mathematics

• Philosophy

• Truth

• Love