Descartes Cartesian Circle Essay

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In Descartes’ meditations a problem arises—the Cartesian Circle. Simply, the Cartesian Circle is we gain the knowledge God exists because we clearly and distinctly perceive God. However, Descartes later determines that God is necessary for clear and distinct perception. This problem that we know God exists through a faculty given to us by God is an argument with circularity. Descartes believes he answers the circle by responding with the example of memory. Descartes believes that we clearly and distinctly perceive in the present but God is necessary for the continued affirmation of that clear and distinct perception when we look back on that clear and distinct perception. But, I find that Descartes response is not sufficient to breaking the circle. In fact, the Cartesian Circle cannot be broken through Descartes or any response. (And the implication this has on his philosophical work; namely it does not matter that the circle …show more content…

Clearly is meant by when something is present and accessible to the attentive mind. When Descartes says distinct he means something so sharply separated from all other perceptions that it contains within itself only what is clear. These two principals together form a truth rule; a standard for which we can indubitably gain knowledge. Indubitably is essential to Descartes pursuit of knowledge. Descartes was fresh off discovering everything he knew in sciences was wrong. Shaken to his intellectual core, the mediations were Descartes attempt to know anything to start rebuilding the system of knowledge again. Correctly labeled a foundationalist, Descartes was searching for an unshakeable foundation to begin this pursuit of knowledge. If there could be any reason to doubt this foundation, to Descartes, it was not sufficient. This is why the formation of the truth rule is so important to Descartes meditations and why clear and distinct perception is essential to his

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