This is a paper that is focusing on the explain Descartes’ project in the Meditations assignment. The paper also provides additional questions to use in writing this assignment paper well.
Explain Descartes’ project in the Meditations assignment
Assignment 1
Answer one of the following questions. (approximate word length, 1,200-1,500 words)
Submit as a Word or PDF Document on Moodle by Oct. 8th. Late penalty is 5% per day unless there is a documented medical excuse.
Be sure to cite all sources used. For readings assigned in the course, please cite in text. (Author’s last name, and page number). Sources that come from outside of the course are not required or even recommended, but if used must include a clear reference. Please use the following referencing system for outside sources, https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html
1. Firstly, explain Descartes’ project in the Meditations. Explain the method Descartes will follow in the Meditations. State and explain the Sense-Deception Argument (use your own example to explain the argument). What is Descartes’ response to the Sense-Deception Argument? State and explain the Dream Argument (use your own example to explain the argument). What is Descartes’ response to it? Discuss a problem with Descartes’ response to the Dream Argument. Do you think one can tell with perfect certainty if one is dreaming? Defend your answer. State and explain the Deceptive God Argument (use your own example to explain the argument). What is Descartes’ response to this argument? Finally, explain (using your own example) why Descartes introduces the idea of a “malicious demon” at the end of the first Meditations.
Explain Descartes’ project in the Meditations assignment
2. Secondly, explain Descartes’ argument for the existence of God in Meditation 5. Explain Anselm’s version of the Ontological Argument. Discuss Gaunilo’s objection to the Ontological Argument. How might a defender of the Ontological Argument best reply to Gaunilo’s objection? Explain Kant’s objection to the Ontological Argument. Explain Paley’s argument for the existence of a Creator of Nature. Discuss two problems for Paley’s argument. In the final analysis, do you think Paley’s argument is strong? Why or why not?
3. Thirdly, state and explain the deductive version of the Argument from Evil. Explain this argument by giving examples of both natural and moral evil. Discuss three attempts to respond to this argument. Explain what the defender of the argument from evil will say in response to these arguments. In the final analysis, do you think the Argument from Evil is sound? Why or why not? Discuss a problem with your answer to the previous question. Explain how you answer that problem.
