As promised, here is the link to Descartes' Meditations (a *.pdf document). Your mission is to read the First Meditation (about 2 and a half pages), in which Descartes asks the question, "Dude...what if reality really is a dream?"
As you read (by the way, it's pretty easy going), pay attention to the stages of Descartes' thought experiment. Why, exactly, does he reach his final decision at the end of the Meditation? What about God? Notice how the "Doubtful" character uses our everyday experiences of dreaming to make very strong skeptical claims.
This reminds me of a medical case study I read about this woman who lost all connection with her leg. She just didn't think it was hers, even though she could control it and everything. Kind of scary. If we can't trust our senses, then how can we know when they are lying?
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting that Descartes referred to God as being supremely good multiple times. Even though he stoutly denied everything else he never questioned God's existence. I wonder if this is because he is afraid of papal repercussions.
ReplyDeletevery interesting about the senses portion. i think it's true what his point is but it also true that our senses are what we can put all of our trust into. it would be extremely difficult for anyone to destroy that trust.
ReplyDeletethis is just way too much for me to handle i always look back and think hmm was that really real, did it actually happen. then i jus get confused and give up thinking about it because its to wierd to think lifes not real especially since theres a lotta life going on.
ReplyDeleteI think what he said about dreams being like paintings, because everything in them is a copy of something that you have seen before is a good comparison to make.
ReplyDeleteDescartes' last words focus on how hard it will be for him to avoid accepting something that can in fact be doubted. Perhaps this is placed her to placate readers who will be disapointed at the book's conclusion. On the matter of god, Descartes could in fact be a loyal catholic, but I find Greg's idea of him fearing the punishment of the church compelling. Also did anyone else get the feeling, while reading this, that "Hopeful" was supposed to be the stupid one.
ReplyDeleteSometimes when i have a dream it will feel real and that im in real time. Then Sometimes i feel like i am in a "painting" of some sort. Then i hear the alarm go off and i have to ask my self was that a dream or was the real. also wasnt he counter dicting himself by talking about God even though he somewhat disproved him i guess.
ReplyDeleteDreams are where it's at!!! i probably have a dream every night, from sexy to scary but having the power to control your dreams would be the most interesting thing to experiance. Tonight i will try to control or alter what my dream is about. Then i will post my experiance.....
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