Homework Question on Descartes’ Method of Doubt
- Write an essay of 300 words in 2-3 paragraphs on Descartes’ Method of Doubt
Homework Answer on Descartes’ Method of Doubt
Descartes was a rationalist whose life thoughts were documented. He was born in 1596 and died in 1650. According to Descartes, before we allege to accept what really exist, we must prod our thoughts on what we indeed mean when we mention existence of reality. It is pointless to claim an existence unless we prod the reality that such thought is genuine or indeed exists. There must be a foundation to base our belief and in that regard came up with the need for what he called foundationalism (Broughton, 2002).
According to Descartes, our knowledge of the world should not be a basis of all that we believe in. disappointments arise when we later discover the prejudicial nature of our thoughts on discovery of what is indeed the reality. Anytime we make such discoveries, it puts into doubt what we have always known to be the reality. Descartes further claims that there are no absolute truths. He encourages self-critique at all times because our beliefs have always not been the truth.
Descartes further gives a test for knowing the truth by doubting all we know to be able to critique and know the truth. Whereas not everything might be doubted, it is prudent to do so and he encourages hypothetical doubt. This is where we pretend not to think we know the truth. According to Descartes, we should also not trust our senses so much because we cannot tell when our senses tell us the truth. Generally, according to Descartes, his thoughts are to discourage the believe in what we think is the truth, but it might not be the case (Brandhorst, 2009).