The Meditations And Why It Is A Project Worth Doing

(1) In  §17-18 Descartes explains what the point of the project of the Meditations is, and why it is a project worth doing. Explain, in your own words, what Descartes says he is going to do, and why? Descartes states that he had believed in false opinions and facts throughout his life. In order for him to â€Å"establish anything firm and lasting in the sciences,† he must cast into doubt the foundations of his knowledge and build his knowledge on a new and more certain foundation. (2) In  §19-20 Descartes considers evidence for beliefs that comes from the senses. Why, according to Descartes, do we have reason to doubt this kind of evidence? And what kinds of beliefs does that doubt call into question? What kinds of beliefs does it not call into†¦show more content†¦(4) Throughout this Meditation, Descartes is concerned with â€Å"withholding assent.† What does it mean to â€Å"withhold assent†? What are you withholding assent from? Why is this so important to Descartes? Descartes states that it is not within his power to conclude what is true, but it is within his power to not accept conclusion on what is false. This is important to Descartes as it lays the foundation of his skeptical doubt. (5) Explain the analogy Descartes gives between his project and Archimedes’ project in  §24. Descartes mentioned that Archimedes had a saying where he could shift the entire earth given he just found one certain and â€Å"immovable† point. Descartes also share a similar belief with Archimedes where he too can achieve unimaginable things given that he can be certain of just one thing. (6) You have probably heard, â€Å"I think, therefore I am.† It is perhaps the most well known conclusion in philosophy. The argument for it is called â€Å"The Cogito,† and you have just read it (in §25). (a)What does the conclusion say, in your own words? â€Å"The Cogito† merely implies that since one is able to have any form of thought is philosophical proof that they exist. (b)What is your reaction to reading it in the text (rather than as a punchline or mere quotation by a famous philosopher)? What is its significance in the context of the present Meditation? Reading it in the text rather than anywhere else gives the