PHI 1104 Lecture : Feb262014.docx
Document Summary
Descartes put theory of knowledge at the centre of philosophy. What can we know [with certainty] according to descartes is the very beginning of philosophy. Williams is a sort of materialist, he doesn"t believe that there are 2 substances he does not believe in descartes dualist philosophy. Famous criticism of descartes you can"t prove the existence of god without assuming. Other criticism descartes makes matter and mind so different that they are separate (ex: the effect of your body effects your mind it"s a basic fact that your mind and body are connected, they interact) Mind is something that thinks (that is what is essential) so descartes cannot explain something that is out to be explained the connection between mind and body. An ordinary person can explain it but for descartes the mind if separate from the body are completely separate.