Philosophy Question

Consult and read the section on Rationalism from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:

Rationalism vs. Empiricism.

In this site, you will find several theses regarding rationalism (5 total). In order to claim oneself

as a rationalist, one must subscribe to at least one of the first three theses listed below, and hold

some version of the last two. Make sure to read the explanations of each of these theses before

you begin your assignment so that you thoroughly comprehend their meaning.

Write short essay of 2-3 pages (Times New Roman 12 point font, double-spaced) that answers

the question, How do these apply to Descartes and why? Refer to Descartes claims in

Meditations on First Philosophy, (your assigned text for this course) and give examples from this

foundational book to support your arguments.

Make sure you include an introduction that explains the purpose of your paper.

1. The Intuition/Deduction Thesis: Some propositions in a particular subject area, S, are

knowable by us by intuition alone.

2. The Innate Knowledge Thesis: We have knowledge of some truths in a particular subject

area, S, as part of our rational nature.

3. The Innate Concept Thesis: We have some of the concepts we employ in a particular

subject area, S, as part of our rational nature.

4. The Indispensability of Reason Thesis: The knowledge we gain in subject area, S, by

intuition and deduction, as well as the ideas and instances of knowledge in S that are

innate to us, could not have been gained by us through sense experience.

5. The Superiority of Reason Thesis: The knowledge we gain in subject area S by intuition

and deduction or have innately is superior to any knowledge gained by sense experience. Length: Projects/Papers for each week should meet the formatting

requirements set forth by the instructor in the assignment instructions.

Projects/Papers not meeting these parameters will receive fewer points. This

essay should be 2-3 pages minimum

Content:

Paper/Project should fully address requirements and demonstrate insight,

effective expression of ideas, by including explanation of each thesis and

explain how it is reflected in Descartes philosophy.

– include an introduction to this essay explaining its purpose and

introducing the idea of these theses as correlating to rationalism, as well

as the aim to relate to Descartes.

– Demonstrate comprehension and reflection, by applying theses accurately

and thoughtfully to Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy

-Use examples from Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy to make your

points

-Develop insights and connections, by giving a well-reasoned and informed

opinion on the topic.

Presentation: You are expected to demonstrate college-level writing skills,

appropriate sentence structure, format, and grammar. Papers/Projects which

are marred by errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling or organization will

receive fewer points, and you may be required to rewrite those which are

marred by significant errors.