Dream Argument
Jacob Sebert
November 13, 2013
Descartes Dream Theory
Descartes arguments in meditation I can be proven wrong through discrepancies and contradictions. Authors Peter Simpson and Ludwig Wittgenstein's have similar points on skepticism where they have found specific inconsistencies. When primarily looking at Descartes’ dream argument we can see a contradiction in his statements. He sets out to demonstrate the similarity between “waking” and “dreaming”. His intention was to prove that there is no difference between the two, and that we could be seeing false deceptions and or possibly hallucinating. Therefore there would be no way to prove the differences between “dreaming” and “waking”. But when looking at his arguments there are a few points that contradict his own theories.
Descartes perceived the mind and body as two different things with distinct properties. Throughout Descartes’ meditations, he attempts to separate mind from senses, by explaining the compatibility between religion and sciences. In his mind Galileo’s scientific method was consistent with Christianity. To prove this he needed to establish a connection between scientific knowledge and the mind. In doing so he categorizes our mind and soul with religion, and the body with science.
Descartes did not trust our senses for scientific foundations because they are not always accurate. He believed the knowledge we perceive of external objects through senses is susceptible to doubt. It is impossible to know if anything outside of us exists with just an understanding through senses. Therefore, scientific method could only come to us through the mind. In order to prove this theory and support his view he created three arguments in the first meditation: the “dream argument”, the “deceiving god argument”, and the evil demon argument.
Dreaming and waking are the same and have no differences; according to Descartes. Whos to say that we are awake, the differences between dreaming and waking are little to none.
November 13, 2013
Descartes Dream Theory
Descartes arguments in meditation I can be proven wrong through discrepancies and contradictions. Authors Peter Simpson and Ludwig Wittgenstein's have similar points on skepticism where they have found specific inconsistencies. When primarily looking at Descartes’ dream argument we can see a contradiction in his statements. He sets out to demonstrate the similarity between “waking” and “dreaming”. His intention was to prove that there is no difference between the two, and that we could be seeing false deceptions and or possibly hallucinating. Therefore there would be no way to prove the differences between “dreaming” and “waking”. But when looking at his arguments there are a few points that contradict his own theories.
Descartes perceived the mind and body as two different things with distinct properties. Throughout Descartes’ meditations, he attempts to separate mind from senses, by explaining the compatibility between religion and sciences. In his mind Galileo’s scientific method was consistent with Christianity. To prove this he needed to establish a connection between scientific knowledge and the mind. In doing so he categorizes our mind and soul with religion, and the body with science.
Descartes did not trust our senses for scientific foundations because they are not always accurate. He believed the knowledge we perceive of external objects through senses is susceptible to doubt. It is impossible to know if anything outside of us exists with just an understanding through senses. Therefore, scientific method could only come to us through the mind. In order to prove this theory and support his view he created three arguments in the first meditation: the “dream argument”, the “deceiving god argument”, and the evil demon argument.
Dreaming and waking are the same and have no differences; according to Descartes. Whos to say that we are awake, the differences between dreaming and waking are little to none.