Week 1:  Seminar Questions on Descartes Readings

 

Work in groups of 4 or 5 students to answer the following questions. We will have two sessions that involve small group discussion followed by full seminar discussion. Focus on the Treatise on Man  for the first session, and the Meditations for the second session. In preparation for the full seminar discussion, 1) select a problematic aspect of one of the questions below to present to the larger group and 2) develop a seminar questions for the larger group to discuss.

 

 

Treatise on Man

 

  1. What is the mechanism by which heat is perceived in the mind?

 

  1. What is the mechanism by which images are constructed in the mind?

 

  1. How does Descartes support his views of how the human body functions?

 

  1. How would you categorize Descartes in terms of the three approaches in the Scientific Revolution that were introduced in Wednesday’s lecture—the mathematical tradition? the empirical / experimental tradition? mechanical philosophy? (If possible, present examples from the text that would support his inclusion in each approach. Descartes is often presented as an exemplar of mechanical philosophy, but does he also incorporate aspects of the other approaches in his scientific work?)

 

  1. What do you find attractive or useful about Descartes’ account of the human body? What do you find missing or wrong in his account?

 

 

Meditations

 

  1. Compare your summary of Descartes’ argument and concerns in the Meditations with the summaries of other members in your group. What are the similarities and differences within the group about the key elements of the argument?

 

  1. What is Descartes’ response to skepticism about (scientific) knowledge? How does his method of systematic doubt outlined in the first Mediation address this skepticism (if at all)?

 

  1. Descartes present a series of “stages” of doubt addressed at different possible domains of knowledge (Meditation I) What domains of knowledge (science) are eliminated at each stage and what domains remain at each stage?  What remains at the end of Meditation I?

 

  1. Consider the “argument” or considerations Descartes advances at each stage. Does he present a compelling case that we can legitimately doubt our beliefs at each stage?  For instance, are you convinced by his claim that you might be dreaming at this very moment?

 

  1. What knowledge claims survive Descartes’ systematic doubt?  Do you think he is correct in asserting that they cannot be doubted?  If so, why?  If not, why not?

 

  1. In Meditation II, Descartes talks about what can be conceived clearly and distinctly.  What do you think he means by “clear and distinct” conceptions? (See especially paragraphs 9 & 10.)

 

  1. What does Descartes mean by the term “substance”? (See selection from Principles of Philosophy, pp. 27-28)?  What problems, if any, do you see with the concept of a substance as it is outlined in this passage?

 

  1. Descartes provides arguments in support of  dualism—that there are two distinct substances, minds and bodies.  See Meditation VI, paragraphs 9 and 19, as well as the synopsis and the  Discourse on Method (pp. 23-24, second paragraph). What, exactly, is the argument for dualism in these passages?  Are they good arguments?  If so, would  you accept dualism for the reasons that Descartes mentions? For other reasons? If you find the arguments faulty, how would you criticism them?

 

  1. In Meditation VI (paragraph 11), Descartes concludes that “I think I may with safety conclude that I possess in myself the means of arriving at the truth.” Scholars see this conclusion and the arguments surrounding it in the text as Descartes’ attempt to overcome skepticism and provide a justification or foundation for scientific knowledge.  What are the arguments in this section?  Has he made the case that we can be justified in claiming to have scientific knowledge, and (if so) under what conditions?

 

  1. Descartes discusses a proposed connection between body and mind (soul) in the selection from Passions of the Soul. What is his account of this connection? Do you find it compelling? 

 

  1. What do you mean by “mind”? What do you mean by “soul”?   How are they different?  Compare you view with Descartes’ view?

 

  1. Compare Descartes’ philosophical methods in Meditations and his scientific methods in Treatise of Man. Are they consistent? Should they be consistent?