Descartes Meditation 3: The Existence Of God
Questionable Authenticity
Marvin Feliciano
Philosophy 001
21 January 2018
I recall being in Sequoia National Park and sitting at the top of Moro Rock. One hour and three hundred steps later, I had finally made it to the top of one of the most visited places in the park. Before climbing, and being slightly afraid of heights, I could not understand what the benefit of making it to the top would be besides the personal fulfillment one could get from such physical accomplishment. However, as I took my last few steps, still a bit apprehensive, I began to look up and it became quite evident why hundreds of people make the grueling journey up the enormous stone year in and year out. There isn’t a place from the top of Moro Rock …show more content…
He begins by stating that there are three type of ideas in this world: innate, fictitious and adventitious. According to Descartes, innate ideas have always been instilled in us while fictitious and adventitious ideas are just figments of our imaginations. He states the the innate idea of Gods existence is placed in us by God himself and denies the possibility of God being fictitious or adventitious. He does state however, that innate beliefs must be accompanied by experiences in order to acquire optimal knowledge. Descartes’ theories and applications offer much insight into reasoning about what is real in this world. Although somewhat controversial, his peculiar approach to questioning life’s basic principles offer much insight into the occurrences of our everyday lives. One can use these theories to question and reason about reality or what we believe reality is. However, on a deeper level, it introduces us into questioning a question. Which as Descartes explains is one way to provide foundation to an answer. Whether utilizing Descartes Meditation 1, Cogito Ergo Sum or his Mediation 3, we come to find a pattern in the purpose for this important piece of work. A pattern that involves thinking outside of the box. A box of uncertainties we may have always lived with which inhibits our abilities to expand our minds but when looked at differently, can help explain much of what we find uncertain or questionable.
Works
Marvin Feliciano
Philosophy 001
21 January 2018
I recall being in Sequoia National Park and sitting at the top of Moro Rock. One hour and three hundred steps later, I had finally made it to the top of one of the most visited places in the park. Before climbing, and being slightly afraid of heights, I could not understand what the benefit of making it to the top would be besides the personal fulfillment one could get from such physical accomplishment. However, as I took my last few steps, still a bit apprehensive, I began to look up and it became quite evident why hundreds of people make the grueling journey up the enormous stone year in and year out. There isn’t a place from the top of Moro Rock …show more content…
He begins by stating that there are three type of ideas in this world: innate, fictitious and adventitious. According to Descartes, innate ideas have always been instilled in us while fictitious and adventitious ideas are just figments of our imaginations. He states the the innate idea of Gods existence is placed in us by God himself and denies the possibility of God being fictitious or adventitious. He does state however, that innate beliefs must be accompanied by experiences in order to acquire optimal knowledge. Descartes’ theories and applications offer much insight into reasoning about what is real in this world. Although somewhat controversial, his peculiar approach to questioning life’s basic principles offer much insight into the occurrences of our everyday lives. One can use these theories to question and reason about reality or what we believe reality is. However, on a deeper level, it introduces us into questioning a question. Which as Descartes explains is one way to provide foundation to an answer. Whether utilizing Descartes Meditation 1, Cogito Ergo Sum or his Mediation 3, we come to find a pattern in the purpose for this important piece of work. A pattern that involves thinking outside of the box. A box of uncertainties we may have always lived with which inhibits our abilities to expand our minds but when looked at differently, can help explain much of what we find uncertain or questionable.
Works