What is Descartes’ “method of doubt”? How does this method lead to the “I think” as a starting point of philosophy?
Introduction:
The Descartes‘s method of doubt which a basic aim and strategy of defeating skepticism on their own ground. This method approaches each situation by doubting it first. The method involves doubting all aspects including the truths, cultural presumptions as well as evidences of the senses of the argument. The method also doubts the whole process of reasoning .This skeptical challenge aims at ensuring that those arguments that pass the test are the ones which bears a strong foundation of knowledge and truths beyond reasonable doubt. The truths that pass this skeptical process are those with accurate and reliable bas well as valid basis of evidence which supports it fully in order to eliminate the arguments which lack necessary support and facts or evidence. This method of doubt ensures that the baseless arguments are eliminated and ensures that those that bear the truth and evidence are retained in order to help in making reasonable decisions and solving problems in real life situations. The method proposes that the knowledge is stable and it should be subjected to doubt in order to prove its stability and certainty. The doubts will help to prove whether the beliefs or propositions are true depending on their stability and certainty even after being subjected to tests of doubt.
This method of doubt also helps to ensure that only the unchanging facts or beliefs remains unaltered because they can be proven beyond reasonable doubt. Doubt is essential in disturbing the stability and certainty of the truths in order to prove their credibility and reliability. This method is essential in ensuring that those arguments and beliefs without reasonable proof and supportive evidence are eliminated in order to remain with certain and stable truths and beliefs which are realistic and reasonable in solving real life problems as well as decision making in the day to day lives of human beings.
Descartes only took in to consideration those arguments which have passed the radial test to be true. The truths which did not survive the radical the radical test of proof were considered false due to the grounds of disbelief which makes them unstable and not certain. Descartes rejected the beliefs which re related to the existence of sensory perception regarding the ordinary objects in order to prove the truth or existence of such objects. He proposed that such beliefs and arguments could be mere fictions which needs to be proved by the radical tests of doubt. He also argues that from the remotest of his body and mind, he found reasons to disregard some beliefs and fictions. He also argues that there is nothing which cannot be doubted in the world in order to eliminate all sorts of uncertainty and unstable truths or beliefs.
In the context of perceptual illusion, Descartes noted that some aspects of external world may be mistaken. Things may not appear as they should. The first glance may not present the actual truth of the matter. Descartes argues that we should have full trust in things as they appear but we should exercise doubt in order to prove the certainty and stability of the theories. This will help in eliminating the wrong perspectives towards specific truths and ideas. He argues that each idea or theory should be subjected to doubt in order to test the stability and certainty. All aspects of sensory knowledge should be subjected to doubt so as to prove their validity and reliability in decision making. The illusions of various perspectives should be doubted in order to prove their validity and truthfulness.
In relation to the dream problem, Descartes proposed that all things around that we think about should be treated as mere imaginations. The sensory perceptions should be regarded as imaginations in order to ensure that their certainty and stability is questioned which helps in enabling .It is thereby reasonable to doubt that nothing physical really exists. He also proposes that the external world does not exist. This method of doubt plays a vital role in by considering all things as imaginations which needs prove and test in order to determine their actual existence in the real world. He doubted many beliefs and things on the basis that we could be dreaming while making such conclusions or arguments. He argues that we may not differentiate whether the person was merely dreaming while making such arguments therefore the need to prove such things by subjecting them to a radical test of doubt.
He argues that in the ordinary life, though the experience of the body may appear more elaborative than the self-consciousness, the sensory appearances tend to give no reliable skill or knowledge in relation to the external world. The impression of the senses tends to be unreliable leading to questionable grounds since they may guide us in the wrong direction. The sensory perceptions should be doubted in order to provide ground for the radical best of doubt. This will also help to ensure that the all the truths are proved rather than just relaying on beliefs bearing false in them.
Descartes also questioned the senses which we get information from since the senses at times deceives. He argues that it is necessary to expose the beliefs and arguments to the radical test of doubt in order to prove the senses wrong in cases they lead to wrong conclusions relating to life issues. What the people can hold as knowledge is subject to dispute in order to prove the truth behind such knowledge.
Descartes also gave proposition in relation to the deceiving God. This argument was mainly based on the traditional beliefs which are most treasured by the people. He argues that at times the Gods may be deceiving leading to truths which are not worth making or bearing some false or misleading information. It is possible to doubt even those truths that seems to be absolute. There is a possibility that the beliefs we entertain may be false raising grounds for doubts. This method of doubt aims at raising a very broad scope of doubt which helps in challenging the beliefs and proposed truths which may be bearing false or lacking the reasonable grounds and evidential support. Those truths which pass the test of radical doubts will be considered the truth due its certainty and stability.
Descartes proposed that “I think, I am” in a manner that if one can think he or she exists because only exiting beings can think. He tried to behave in a manner that he does not exist but he still found that hid doubting is a form of thinking which shows that he exist. This shows that the thinking attitude is relevant in questioning the existence of some beliefs and arguments. He also argues that if he understands his true nature then he must have the complete awareness of what surrounds him and all aspects which appeals both to his heart and mind. The ‘’I think” proposition is of essence in giving strength to the view of doubting every material thing in this word unless adequate proof is provided with regard to that thing. This helps to ensure only the truth is accepted as the truth since the doubts cannot eliminate the truth that is in existence. Descartes also argues ta his conscious awareness enable him to prove the existence of some things through the test of doubts so as to show the actual truth. He argues that we think because we exist because the inexistent people have no ability to think. If we stop thinking then it means we have stopped to exist in reality. The ‘’I think” proposition is very essential in philosophy because it appeals both to the mind and souls of the human beings thereby reflecting their existence.
In conclusion, the method of doubt is proposed by Descartes is very essential in philosophy because it helps to eliminate the beliefs and thoughts which lack the supporting evidence or reasonable basis. The doubts helps in questioning all beliefs and things in order to ensure that only the ideas or beliefs which pass the radical test of doubt are accepted and considered right. This method plays a vital role in the elimination of ideas and beliefs which lack basis or reasonable grounds. The realistic views and ideas are the only ones which are accepted.
Works Cited
Broughton, Janet. Descartes's Method of Doubt. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ. Press, 2002. Print.
