The fifth chapter turns from metaphysics to physics and applies his universal laws to scientific pursuits. The fifth chapter offers the reader one of the most challenging of applications, the superiority of man over beast, as the beast contains no soul, no reason and no thinking mind, and according to Descarts this is easily assumed because animals do not talk, therefore they do not reason and have no mind separate from their body. They are mechanisms of the universe, just as machines are mechanisms of the world of man. The modern reader, with a greater understanding of the animal and biological world is likely to argue that this is an example of the assumptions made trough tradition, as so much more is understood about the working of animals and the application of so many ideas of "social thought" than was ever imagined before and most modern people assume that man…...

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Works Cited

Descartes, Rene. Descartes' Discourse on Method, and Other Writings. Translated by Wollaston, Arthur. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1960.

Rene Descartes, Descartes' Discourse on Method, and Other Writings, trans. Arthur Wollaston (Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1960), 35.

Rene Descartes, Descartes' Discourse on Method, and Other Writings, trans. Arthur Wollaston (Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1960), 36.

Rene Descartes, Descartes' Discourse on Method, and Other Writings, trans. Arthur Wollaston. (Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1960), 42.

However, there are numerous beliefs that his argument leaves unchallenged. When we dream, although the particular beliefs we form ("I am falling from an airplane.") are often false, the materials for our dream (airplanes, physical objects) come from things we experience when waking, and we can still rest assured that some of these things exist. Therefore, the dreaming argument leaves unchallenged our belief in general truths about the world (the belief that we have hands and what these hands do for us).
One of the reasons Descartes believed his mind to be essentially non-physical is that he found himself able to doubt the existence of all physical objects (even his own hand) but could not doubt that he was a thinking being (Williams, 1998). Descartes also believed that, in contrast to the physical world, the mind was an indivisible unit.

Even Descartes realized that mind and body were unable to operate…...

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Bibliography

The President and Fellows of Harvard College. (2002). Descartes' First Meditation. Retrieved from the Internet at  http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu .

Williams, Bernard, "Rene Descartes," Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Vol. 2, pp. 344-354.

Descartes viewed that the whole of human knowledge was a tree, with each part relying on the others for the purposes of functioning - and, in a philosophical sense, validity. The tree's trunk was comparable to physics. The branches Descartes considered to be the applied sciences of morals, medicine, and mechanic. The roots of the tree provided support and nourishment to the whole of the system; these roots, Descartes believed, were metaphysics, which he defined as the study of the nature of God, the universe, and everything contained in it. Descartes intended the Principles to serve as a coherent picture of that tree. He hoped that the Principles would serve as a foundational guide to his thought - and all philosophical thought, in general.
Descartes was reacting to a philosophical worldview that was dominated by Aristotle and the teachings of the Scholastics. The Scholastics were concerned with natural philosophy and…...

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Works Cited

Baird, Forrest E. And Kaufmann, Walter. Modern Philosophy. Philosophic Classics, Vol. 3, 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1997.

Descartes, Rene. Principles of Philosophy. New York: Springer, 1984.

Descartes, Rene. The World. 1664. Retrieved 5 May 2008 at  http://www.princeton.edu/~hos/mike/texts/descartes/world/worldfr.htm .

Franklin, James. "The Genius of the Scholastics, and the Orbit of Aristotle." N.D. Retrieved 5 May 2008 at  http://web.maths.unsw.edu.au/~jim/scholastics.html .

Rene Descartes: hy Psychology Cannot be a Science Like Physics
The philosophies and concepts presented in Rene Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy illustrate several reasons why psychology cannot be a science like physics. These concepts include that truths are based on clear and distinct ideas, that the mind is not an object but a separate entity, that human psychology is a product of a reflex action between the mind and the body, and that truth can only be obtained by judging ideas based on observing experiments. Each of these concepts will now be looked at in turn, relating it to psychology as a science.

Meditations on First Philosophy is Descartes' attempt to question everything around him and determine what can really be accepted as truth and what cannot. The one sure thing this is based on is that Descartes exists. The reasoning is that if he did not exist, he would not…...

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Works Cited

Descartes, Rene. Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy, 3rd ed. Trans. Donald A. Cress. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1993.

This phrase talks about the first bit of knowledge in Descartes' philosophy, i.e. The existence of thinking self. This is "... The clearest, and best known substance for him [thinking individual]. Upon this foundation, Descartes builds all his other knowledge claims" (Hauptli, 2008, Chapter 27). The formulation argues that one's existence is deemed true the moment one raises its existence or this existence is conceived in human mind (Descartes in Newman, 2005). This does not necessarily hold that what exists is the substantial self as Descartes continues, "But I do not yet have a sufficient understanding of what this 'I' is, that now necessarily exists" (ibid, Chapter 4). Hence it can be inferred that the existence can hold as far as whatever I, the thinking thing, turns out to be (ibid).
eferences

Hauptli, B.W. (2008). Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding. etrieved from www.fiu.edu/~hauptli/Locke'sEssayBookII.html. onMarch 7.

Landauer, J. & owlands, J. (2001). Epistemology.…...

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References

Hauptli, B.W. (2008). Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Retrieved from www.fiu.edu/~hauptli/Locke'sEssayBookII.html. onMarch 7.

Landauer, J. & Rowlands, J. (2001). Epistemology. Retrieved from www.importanceofphilosophy.com/Epistemology_Main.html. onMarch 7.

Newman, L. (2005). Descartes' Epistemology. Retrieved at   7, 2009.http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/descartes-epistemology/#4onMarch 

Descartes - Passions
Descartes separated the functions of the mind from the functions of the "machine of the body," stating that the body operates more like the motions of a watch, which are produced merely by the inner springs and wheels (Article 16). He felt that there was nothing remaining within ourselves that could be attributed to the soul except for our thoughts, and these he felt could be further categorized into two kinds: actions of the soul and passions of the soul. The "actions," he felt, were those pertaining to the human will (17), and the passions of the soul, he felt could better be described as apprehensions.

The will or actions, he further broke down into two separate categories - one being the application of thought to any object which is not material, such as God, and the other being thought that brings about obedient motion of the "machine" otherwise…...

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Works Cited

Descartes. Rene. Passions of the Soul. 1649. Claremont Graduate University. May, 2000.

2/10/02

Descartes might, however, point out that it does not matter which forms or symbols are used so long as direct knowledge is acquired. Furthermore, it would be impossible to completely separate the artist from the form; or even the viewer from the form. Mathematics is a purer means of representing reality than painting or language.
Both Descartes and Langer would surrender to the inevitability of symbolic communication. Even mathematics involves the use of symbols. Langer points out that thought "begins and ends with language; without the elements, at least, of scientific grammar, conception must be impossible," (88). As they recognize familiar structures and forms as well as colors in their works of art, Langer and Descartes would also discover that all symbols -- elements of language or not -- have a certain type of structure. hat makes language meaningful is its structure, its linearity, and its discursiveness. Language does at…...

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Works Cited

Langer, Susan. "Discursive and Presentational Forms." Chapter 4 in Philosophy in a New Key.

"Rene Descartes." Retrieved 10 May 2010 from http://www.keithmurphy.info/399/rene.htm

Rene Descartes
"I have never written about the infinite except to submit myself to it, and not to determine what it is or not..."

Philosopher Rene Descartes

Were he alive and intellectually active in these times of terrorism and uncertainty, of AIDS and anthrax and animal cloning, what would Rene Descartes be doing? Were he awakening these mornings in 2003 to recount his expansive dreams in writings, and generate his geometric formulae, while the drumbeats of war numb the mind and pictures of African children break the heart, what would Descartes be planning? And were Descartes among us today, while the utter folly a/la Joe Millionaire (will Joe choose Sara or Zora?) occupies "civilized" dialogue - and suicide bombers pull the switch in crowded public places - what would he be writing? Moreover, wouldn't it be refreshing - and curative - to have a prolific mind, a true visionary genius such as…...

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Bibliography

Babb, Genie. "Where the bodies are buried. Cartesian dispositions in narrative theories of character." Narrative 10.i3 (2002) p.195.

Descartes, Rene. "Meditation II: Of The Nature of The Human Mind."

The Philosophy Pages.  http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/desc.htm .

Descartes, Rene. "Meditation III: Of God That He Exists." [online]

Speaking of innate and universal "truths," Locke argues: "If therefore children and idiots have souls, have minds, with those impressions upon them, they must unavoidably perceive them, and necessarily know and assent to these truths; which, since they do not, it is evident that there are no such impressions" (Locke).
Finally, Locke claims that the "blank slate" of an infant's mind, also called the "tabula rasa," offers proof that innate knowledge does not exist. As he points out, there is great variation between the painted canvasses of men's minds, all depending upon what the individual experiences, reflects upon, and chooses to give his attention to after birth (Locke). If Descartes' theory about innate knowledge is true, all men would share the same set of ideas. However, as Locke points out: "Men then come to be furnished with fewer or more simple ideas from without, according as the objects they converse…...

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Works Cited

Descartes, Rene. "Meditations on First Philosophy." 2001. classicallibrary.org. 12. 02-2011 .

Locke, John. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding 38 E. Essay. London: William Tegg, 1689.

Philosopher ene Descartes wrote, "I think, therefore I am." While Descartes used this phrase to put into perspective his beliefs on the philosophical debate of existence, this quote resonates to most philosophical layman today as a motto for achieving anything that they may set their mind to. However, the manner in which one thinks -- positively or negatively -- also adds a great deal to what I perceive the quote to mean. In interpreting this quote in this manner, as I do, it can be used in conjunction with attaining certain life goals, including my own: to finish my career successfully, be a good professional, and above all be a good wife and mother for my family. In viewing these goals, one can also understand how these goals can be achieved and maintained in the long run through the application of Descartes' thinking and with positive thinking as a…...

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References

Avey, J., Luthans, F., and Wernsing, T. (2008). Can positive employees help positive organizational change? Impact of psychological capital and emotions on relevant attitudes and behaviors. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 44(1), pp. 48-70. Retrieved from: ProQuest Database.

Mayo Clinic. (2011, May 28). Positive thinking: reduce stress by eliminating negative self-talk. Retrieved from:   on 4 September 2011.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/positive-thinking/SR00009 ,

"I Think, Therefore I Am"

Hypothetical Scenario:
The creation of a "sensory bar" and the First Meditation of Rene Descartes

At the beginning of the "First Meditation" the French philosopher Rene Descartes takes a philosophical posture known as radical skepticism: he resolves to doubt anything that cannot be proven. After all, he rationalizes, he is aware of the fact that sometimes he is dreaming and since this is the case, might not all the world be a dream? "As if I were not a man who sleeps at night and often has all the same experiences while asleep as madmen do when awake -- indeed sometimes even more improbable ones. Often in my dreams I am convinced of just such familiar events -- that I am sitting by the fire in my dressing-gown -- when in fact I am lying undressed in bed" (Descartes 1). The "sensory module" theoretically attempts to circumvent this possibility, alerting the…...

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Work Cited

Descartes, R. Meditations on First Philosophy. Web. 12 Oct 2014.

http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdfs/descartes1641_1.pdf

This is indeed an absolutely profound concept in that it can't help but support the idea of the autonomous individual, existing in connection to thought. The truth of these emotions, be them good or bad, speak to the authenticity of the self. There's a notion of realness -- of the self that is a facet of the genuine, as emotions and desires are founded upon the genuine. This notion of genuineness and authenticity implies that there's a core aspect of the human experience which is not manufactured or artificial -- it just is, as thoughts and emotion occur organically with truth attached to them. This demonstrates that the internal processes of the self are based in the real, the actual and the genuine, offering more support to the idea, "I think therefore I am."
However, this is not to imply that there is a perfection in the human being's processes.…...

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Works Cited

Descartes, R. "Meditations on First Philosophy in which are demonstrated the existence of God and the distinction between the human soul and body."earlymoderntexts.com. Jonathan Bennett, n.d. Web. 22 Apr 2013. .

If at the moment of stating this theory, animals were simply regarded as mindless creatures, their current status has changed. A large number of organizations received state funds to investigate the lives of animals and came up with astonishing results. The researches developed concluded that most animals had a very active brain and could reach high level of intelligence and communication skills. As such, even if a large part of their movements were done due to instinct or "purely mechanical force," there was a set of movements that was done due to thinking.
Still related to the issue of mechanical forces is the existence of robots. However they are indeed metal objects that do not think for themselves, their creation was only possible through intensive mind work. In other words, even if throughout their existence, the robots themselves do no thinking, somebody else does it for them. In order to…...

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Bibliography

December 9, 2002, Rene Descartes (1956-1650), ReneDescaters.com, accessed on October 8, 2007http://www.renedescartes.com/,last

Rene Descartes (1595-1650), OregonState.com, last accessed on October 8, 2007http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/philosophers/descartes.html,

Robin Chew, March 1996, Rene Descartes, Philosopher, Lucid Cafe, last accessed on October 8, 2007http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96mar/descartes.html,

Daniel Garber, August 29, 2003, Descartes, Rene (1596-1650), Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy,   accessed on October 8, 2007http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/DA026SECT8,last 

DESCARTES' BELIEVE IN GOD
Descartes Believe in God

Descartes' Believe in God

Science attempts to prove how God did or does things. The assessment is heavily disputed by archaic religious doctrines. The traditional conflict between science and religion is entirely based on the dominion and not what is right or wrong. Rene Descartes' belief in God is not based on atheistic principles, but on blasphemy as seen from the way he investigates God's functions. hilst examining Descartes' belief in the existence of God, it establishes that Descartes does not dispute the existence of God, but has a different opinion (parallel from the religion). A scientific argument proving Descartes' arguments and a reflection on his presumptions are provided.

Does Descartes believe in God?

As a philosopher and mathematician, Descartes dedicated his work entirely on writing and researching. His arguments combined humanism, science, and religion to arrive on the much-aggrandized assumptions of natural processes. Olson (2006) reflects…...

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Work Cited

Broughton, Janet and Carreiro, John. A Companion to Descartes. New York: John Wiley & Sons,

2010. Print

Kohn, Hans. The Idea Of Nationalism: A Study In Its Origins And Background. Transaction Publishers, 2005. Print

McKnight, Edgar. Jesus Christ in History and Scripture: A Poetic and Sectarian Perspective.

Descartes argues that the mind and the body must be two different things since he knows the mind exists but knows no such thing about the body. Spell out this argument. What's wrong with it, if anything? Give a counterexample to the principle implied here.
Are other philosophers that we have read drawing conclusions about what the mind must be like based on what we know about the mind or how we know it? Is that always a mistake? Can reasoning like this be defended? Maybe even Descartes's reasoning?

Descartes on the dualism of mind and body

Descartes insists that mind and body are each distinct from the other although 'living together' in one 'package. His reasoning for this includes the following:

Mind and body are two different organisms. You see this clearly from the way they are fashioned. Each looks and behaves so different to the other, therefore how can they be one?…...

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References

Descartes, Rene, The Philosophical Writings of Descartes, 3 vols., trans. John Cottingham, Robert Stoothoff, Dugald Murdoch and Anthony Kenny, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984-1991

Interent Encyc. Of Phil. Rene Descartes: The Mind-Body Distinction

 http://www.iep.utm.edu/descmind/#H5 

Searle, J. Minds, Brains, and Science Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1984