Question 1

Descartes says that "I will suppose, then, not that God, who is supremely good and the fountain of truth, but that some malignant demon who is at once exceedingly potent and deceitful, has employed all his artifice to deceive me."

Accepted Answer

This statement is a quote from Descartes' First Meditation in his book, "Meditations on First Philosophy." In this text, Descartes uses the idea of a deceptive demon as a thought experiment to explore the concept of skepticism and find a foundation for knowledge that cannot be doubted.

Question 2

The main goal of Descartes in his Meditations is to make science and religion compatible.

Accepted Answer

The main goal of Descartes in his Meditations is to establish a foundation for knowledge that is certain and indubitable, separate from both science and religion. He begins with the method of doubt, questioning all of his previous beliefs and experiences, in order to arrive at a basic truth upon which he can build his philosophy. While his ideas have been influential in the history of science and philosophy, his primary focus was not on reconciling science and religion.

Question 3

Descartes says, "all things being maturely and carefully considered, that this proposition-I am, I exist-is necessarily true each time it is expressed by me, or conceived in my mind. This alone is inseparable from me. I am-I exist: this is certain; but how often?" Descartes answers his own question by saying "As often as I think."

Accepted Answer

Descartes believed that the proposition "I am, I exist" is necessarily true each time it is expressed or conceived in the mind, and that it is inseparable from the self. He further stated that this proposition can be affirmed as many times as one thinks, indicating that it is not limited to a single instance of consciousness.

Question 4

Descartes uses his analysis of the example of a piece of wax to conclude, "I cannot apprehend it without possessing a human mind."

Accepted Answer

Descartes argues that we cannot apprehend the nature of a piece of wax through our senses or imagination alone, but rather through the power of our mind and understanding, which demonstrate the limitations of materialism and empiricism.

Question 5

Descartes concludes at the end of Meditation II that "It is impossible to defeat the principle of skepticism."

Accepted Answer

Descartes concludes in Meditation II with the realization "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), which serves as a foundational truth that cannot be doubted, effectively countering extreme skepticism by proving at least one indubitable truth.

Question 6

What does Descartes hope to achieve from his methodological doubting?

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Question 7

What does Descartes use as his criterion for doubting?

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Question 8

Why does Descartes place so much emphasis on the certainty of beliefs?

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Question 9

How does Descartes conclude that "there exist no certain marks by which the state of waking can ever be distinguished from sleep"?

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Question 10

Why does Descartes believe in a God that is "supremely good and the fountain of truth" while a "malignant demon . . . has employed all his artifice to deceive [him]"? Why doesn't Descartes see these two entities as one and the same?

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Question 11

Descartes says, "So that it must be maintained, all things being maturely and carefully considered, that this proposition-I am, I exist-is necessarily true each time it is expressed by me, or conceived in my mind. This alone is inseparable from me. I am-I exist." Explain why Descartes holds this view.

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Question 12

Explain Descartes's analysis of the "piece of wax" example, and what he concludes from that analysis.

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Locke tells us that his main purpose is to ...

Accepted Answer

This statement is a direct quote from the introduction of Locke's "Essay Concerning Human Understanding", where he explains his purpose for writing the book.

Question 14

Locke uses the term "idea" to stand for ...

Accepted Answer

Locke defines "idea" as "whatsoever is the object of the understanding when a man thinks." He uses it to refer to the mental representations we have of things in the world, including concepts, sensations, and perceptions. Option A is incorrect because Locke's use of "idea" is not limited to mathematics and logic. Option B is incorrect because Locke does not believe in the objective existence of physical objects independent of our perceptions. Option C may be partially true, but it is not a complete definition of Locke's use of the term "idea."

Question 15

"Innate principles or ideas" means ...

Accepted Answer

Innate principles or ideas refer to primary notions that are inherent to the human mind from birth. They are not learned or derived from experience but are part of our fundamental nature. This concept is often associated with the philosopher John Locke, who argued against the existence of innate ideas and instead believed that all knowledge comes from experience.

Question 16

For Locke, "innate principles or ideas" ...

Accepted Answer

Locke rejected the idea of innate principles or ideas, instead arguing that all knowledge and ideas come from experience through the senses.

Question 17

Locke argues that if the use of reason is necessary to discover innate principles, then ...

Accepted Answer

Locke argues that if reason is necessary to discover innate principles, then it is contradictory to say that we both know them and don't know them at the same time. This is because if we knew them, we wouldn't need reason to discover them, but if we don't know them, then they can't be innate. Therefore, innate principles don't exist.

Question 18

For Locke, the mind at birth is ...

Accepted Answer

According to Locke, the mind at birth is like a blank slate (tabula rasa) that is devoid of innate ideas or knowledge. He argues that knowledge is acquired through experience and observation, and that the mind is not born with any pre-existing ideas or concepts. Therefore, the best choice is A - like an empty cabinet.

Question 19

According to Locke, the mind learns by degrees and grows familiar with some ideas lodged in the memory, and the names attached to them. Afterwards, the mind abstracts them, and learns the use of general names. This process starts because ...

Accepted Answer

According to Locke, the mind's learning process starts with particular ideas that are furnished by the senses, which is why C is the correct answer. A is incorrect because Locke rejects the notion of innate ideas. B is incorrect because Locke argues that all knowledge ultimately comes from sensation and reflection, rather than from innate principles. D is incorrect because Locke does not rely on the concept of God in his theory of knowledge acquisition.

Question 20

Locke argues that young children ...

Accepted Answer

According to Locke, young children do not immediately understand abstract and general ideas, and must gradually acquire these concepts through experience and reflection. He argues that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, and that children's minds are initially blank slates or "tabula rasa" that gradually become filled with ideas through experience and reflection. He does not believe in innate ideas or immortal souls.

Quiz 2: Plato Knowledge Is Recollection