descartes method of doubt
...ought it to be a man at first they were not positive in their decision and you and your mind understood that the answer was still not decided. You were questioning your senses and eventually your senses told you the truth when your eye sight was good enough to see such a distance. This is just a way of replying to Descartes’ theory of senses because there are other factors in what is known then just what might be seen at first, because within time your senses will eventually tell you the truth. Along with Descartes theory of the senses he also states “that there are no definitive signs by which to distinguish being awake from being asleep.”4 Since he cannot trust his senses he concludes that there is no way to determine if his dreams are reality or actually dreams. But he admits that there are certain “truths” that are consistent whether he is awake or asleep. “For whether I am awake or asleep, two plus three make five, and a square does not have more than four sides.”5 He is saying that certain things will never change no matter what, nothing could change the laws that bring these things to be what they are. This brings along Descartes’ theory that logic, algebra, and geometry “which treat of nothing but the simplest and most general things and which are indifferent as to whether these things do or do not in fact exist, contain something certain and indubitable.”6 Opposed to this idea he states that “physics, astronomy, medicine, and all other disciplines that are dependent upon the consideration of composite things are doubtful.”7 Descartes is saying that there is nothing to change the facts of logic, algebra, and geometry. They are all truths and do not depend on anything else to make them true, they are self sufficient. In comparison to something such as medicine though there are different answers to the same problem, for example to cure a cold for one person might be rest and chicken soup but as for another it may be medication. With logic algebra and geometry though you will be given the same answer all the time, not different variations depending upon the patient or situation. Logic, algebra, and geometry are set in stone and nothing is going to change the laws or outcomes of the equations, you will be given the same answer to the same equation each time. This theory is why Descartes’ believes and trusts in it so much because it is never misleading and will never steer you in the wrong direction, it is purely the truth, something that Descartes places enormous emphasis upon. Descartes believes that we are to become the “masters and possessors of nature”8 in the belief that we are to be able to predict are knowledgeable, and in some cases prevent most if not all of natures actions. For instance he says that “This is desirable not only for the invention of an infinity of devices that would enable one to enjoy trouble-free the fruits of the earth and all the goods found there, but also principally for the maintenance of health.”9 Descartes is a strong believer that we should have control over the things that should be controlling us and I agree with him. I believe in the idea that we should become the “masters and possessors of nature”10 because it is the predominant modern view. Everyone wants to find the answers to everything so that we have control over them, which in many cases such as medicine is a great...