Descartes s Discourse On Method - 890 Words

In his Discourse on Method, Rene Descartes asserts that all human beings are equal in their ability to reason and that any differences in opinion are not a result of a difference in ability to reason, but in the application of the reasoning. Descartes begins his argument for this claim by stating that rational thought and reason is what separates humans from animals, and that if all people have this ability to reason, then that must be the distinguishing feature of humanity. He goes on to explain that while individuals may differ within a species in regard to their non-essential qualities, they will not differ in the species’ distinguishing feature. This rule accounts for the diversity within humanity as a species (such as differing hair colors, heights, and weights) while equalizing humanity’s ability to reason. From these premises, Descartes concludes that all humans must have an equal ability to reason and that differences in thought are merely a result of difference s in the application of the individual’s reasoning. In Part V of his Discourse, Descartes continues his argument for reasoning being the essence of humanity by arguing that non-human animals and machines cannot reason, and therefore reasoning must be solely attributed to humans. Descartes presents two tests to determine whether or not a being is human or non-human, both based on the adaptability of the being’s responses. He first asserts that since machines and non-human animals cannot communicate via spokenShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Rene Descartes s Work Discourse On The Method Of A Machine1316 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout his work Discourse on the Method, Rene Descartes discusses the things he believes to be true concerning thought. He discusses the things which he believes to be more perfect and the things which he believes to be less perfect (pt 2, para 1). When comparing the two, he eventually comes to the conclusion that things that are more perfect are constructed by fewer hands and have specific purpose (pt 2, para 1). He also introduces in the opening portion of his work that his opinion of goodRead MoreThe Projetion of the Perfection Paradox1176 Words   |  5 PagesThe Projection of the Perfection Paradox In Renà © Descartes’s Discourse on Method, â€Å"seeking the true method for arriving at knowledge† (p. 10) is the goal in which he states in the beginning of discourse. With that end in mind, by analyzing proofs that Descartes finds it can be seen if this was achieved. The proof that God exist is a defining moment in the discourse since God is continually referenced for origin of true knowledge. The reference to God does not only set the stage for furtherRead MoreAnalysis of Descartes Argument788 Words   |  3 Pagesending of the reading selection.? Reading selection from Descartes Discourse on the Method (Part IV). Descartes begins with the problem of being able to prove his own existence but ends up with an argument proving the existence of God. Read more about the Discourse on the Method located at HYPERLINK http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdf/descdisc.pdf http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdf/descdisc.pdf. In his Discourse on the Method, Descartes essentially asked his famous question: how can we knowRead MoreDescartes And Descartes s Theories Of Skepticism And Search For The Truth1109 Words   |  5 Pagesso-called life questions, but experts like Blaise Pascal and Rene Descartes have examined and reasoned with the norms of the enlightenment era. The theologians and philosophers during that time have produced such popular works that they have been used as a foundation for reason today. In Pascal s Pensees, and Descartes’ Discourse on Method, they take steps to examining and reflecting on their own answers to life questions. If Pascal and Descartes conversed with each other about skepticism and searching forRead MoreWisdom According to Rene Descartes1240 Words   |  5 Pagesnot examining the same thing† Rene’ Descartes pg. (1) â€Å"Discourse on Method† by Rene’ Descartes Wisdom, according to Rene’ Descartes, can be reached when an individual abandons all other influence and challenges the course of their own personal knowledge by seeking supreme understanding. He believed that everybody is capable of wisdom, but to gain it a person must challenge their very own mind. 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When comparing the two scientists, it is clear that there are many similarities. In an effort to compare Rene’ Descartes and Francis Bacon it is important to discover the pioneer’s investigations and philosophies. Both credited with the evolution from Aristotelian discovery to modernRead MoreRene Descartes: French Mathematician and Philosopher Essay1855 Words   |  8 PagesRene Descartes: An Author Study Rene Descartes was a 17th Century mathematician and French Philosopher whose lifes work focused on providing a new prospective on the human perception of reality. The definition of this reality is seen as Descartes greatest life goal. Coined as the Father of Modern Philosophy, (Cunningham Reich, 2010, p. 385), Descartes laid the groundwork the philosophy and reality as we perceive it today. Descartes autobiography, Discourse on the Method of Rightly ConductingRead MoreDescartes s Theory Of Love885 Words   |  4 PagesRene Descartes had one ultimate goal, which was to discover the absolute foundation of truth and philosophy, which includes love. Descartes had detected many false beliefs that he, as a youth, believed to be true. It was at this point that he decided to rid himself of all of his previous opinions and knowledge that he had accepted to be truths, based on the fact that he could find doubt in them. He then concluded that if you construct something on false beliefs then everything becomes doubtfulRead More Rene Descartes Essay1094 Words   |  5 PagesRene Descartes was a famous French mathematician, scientist and philosopher. He was arguably the first major philosopher in the modern era to make a serious effort to defeat skepticism. His views about knowledge and certainty, as well as his views about the relationship between mind and body have been very influential over the last three centuries. Descartes was born at La Haye (now called Descartes), and educated at the Jesuit College of La Flà ¨che between 1606 and 1614. Descartes later claimed