Descartes’ Method of Doubt

Write a 2-4 page essay (in Word or Rich Text Format, double spaced, size 12 font) on one of the following topics. (Cite all sources you use to avoid plagiarism).

1) Explain Descartes’ Method of doubt; what does he hope to accomplish from this method; is Descartes a skeptic?

2)What is the significance of Descartes’ Cogito argument. How does it relate to the “evil demon” and dreaming doubt arguments?

3.) Does Descartes believe in God? If so discuss his argument(s) for the existence of God. Are they convincing? Why or why not? If you don’t think that Descartes actually believes in God defend your position.

4) Discuss the so called “Cartesian Circle”; (a good source for this discussion are the articles on Descartes at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy; is Descartes guilty of begging the question or arguing in a circle in his discussion of God as the guarantor of clear and distinct ideas and his clear and distinct idea of God?

<p>Cite all sources with quotation marks for direct quotes and parenthetical references. Don’t place urls in the body of your paper; cite online sources by authors name or article title. Place urls at the end of the paper in the work cited page. Every student is encouraged to submit drafts of papers to Smart thinking for proof reading.</p>