Descartes' Method of Doubt
Descartes' Method of Doubt is an important idea that helps us understand Rationalism. This idea is very different from Empiricism, another way of thinking about knowledge.
Systematic Doubting
Descartes is known for saying, "Cogito, ergo sum," which means "I think, therefore I am." This idea comes from his way of questioning everything he believes until he finds something that cannot be doubted. He believes that using reason is the best way to gain knowledge. He thinks that being sure in our minds is more important than what our senses tell us. While Empiricism claims that we learn from our senses, Descartes argues that our senses can trick us. So, he supports the idea that we have some knowledge that we are born with and that we can figure things out through logical thinking.
What Knowledge Is
In Rationalism, knowledge is often considered a priori. This means it comes from reason rather than experience. Descartes wanted to find truths that exist on their own, without needing to see or touch them. For example, math truths like are true everywhere, no matter if we observe them or not. On the other hand, Empiricism would only accept these truths if we prove them through experiments or observations.
The Importance of the Mind
In the end, Descartes shows that our minds are the main tools we use to understand what we know. He believed that thinking carefully and reflecting on our thoughts can give us more reliable truths than relying on our senses, which can sometimes be misleading. His Method of Doubt not only strengthens Rationalist ideas but also opens the door for other thinkers to explore where our knowledge comes from and what its limits are.
Descartes' Method of Doubt
Descartes' Method of Doubt is an important idea that helps us understand Rationalism. This idea is very different from Empiricism, another way of thinking about knowledge.
Systematic Doubting
Descartes is known for saying, "Cogito, ergo sum," which means "I think, therefore I am." This idea comes from his way of questioning everything he believes until he finds something that cannot be doubted. He believes that using reason is the best way to gain knowledge. He thinks that being sure in our minds is more important than what our senses tell us. While Empiricism claims that we learn from our senses, Descartes argues that our senses can trick us. So, he supports the idea that we have some knowledge that we are born with and that we can figure things out through logical thinking.
What Knowledge Is
In Rationalism, knowledge is often considered a priori. This means it comes from reason rather than experience. Descartes wanted to find truths that exist on their own, without needing to see or touch them. For example, math truths like are true everywhere, no matter if we observe them or not. On the other hand, Empiricism would only accept these truths if we prove them through experiments or observations.
The Importance of the Mind
In the end, Descartes shows that our minds are the main tools we use to understand what we know. He believed that thinking carefully and reflecting on our thoughts can give us more reliable truths than relying on our senses, which can sometimes be misleading. His Method of Doubt not only strengthens Rationalist ideas but also opens the door for other thinkers to explore where our knowledge comes from and what its limits are.