PHIL4406 Lecture Notes - Circular Reasoning, Rational Animal, Cogito Ergo Sum
Document Summary
During this time their idea was to go back and see what happened. They were focused on a rediscovery of the ancient. America shaking up europe because they thought they were the center of the world. There was also a scientific change and new discoveries. Everyone thought they were sure of how things worked but they soon began realizing that things were completely different. Descartes" idea was to find the truth and then base everything off of that. He says that meditation is the first step in finding the truth. Contemplation was the next step: he wants to find new foundations that are solid so what comes next will be solid too, therefore there is no room for faith. Descartes is considered the father of rationalism and modernity. There is a shift from religious to something else. Descartes begins by putting aside his belief in all things, and tries to establish what can be known for certain.
