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Anything that comes into your mind through these senses is empirical knowledge. What is your impression of the value and proper use of empirical knowledge nowledge developed in the mind without the use of the five senses–merely through the use of one’s own mental powers of thought–falls under the heading of rationalism. Descartes is a rationalist because he uses nothing but his own mind to develop the argument of his Meditations. Think over your own use of purely mental exploration of ideas and problem-solving. Is rationalism a dependable, useful, and accurate tool for investigating ideas? Is it enough when used by itself? question 2 In shifting philosophical attention from the larger universe to the interior of the thinking mind, Descartes created a MAJOR turning point in the history of philosophy. His new cornerstone, “Cogito ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am), brings with it new philosophical problems never before examined or recognized by earlier philosophers: the Mind-Body Problem, the Problem of Other Minds, solipcism, and some other issues. Explain here the new problems Descartes introduced and give your take on the seriousness of these new problems. |
