Critical Evaluation of Descartes Principle of Proofs of Existence of God - Essay Example

Critical Evaluation of Descartes Principle of Proofs of Existence of God Descartes is one of the most renowned philosophers, he was of French origin and his studies centered in Mathematics. Having finished his law degree Descartes would eventually move into seclusion in the Netherlands, where he would frequently change his address to conceal himself. Descartes produced many publications and he would delay his publication to avoid criticisms. His most notable studies centered on the truth about God and his existence where his work aimed at bringing God into the picture, his publications were based on his dreams Prado, (Prado, 2009). Descartes studies about God were to show that God is not a deceiver, and he aims to bring a clear perception in our minds. In his ontological arguments, Descartes gives two arguments about the existence of God. He sets to prove about the existence of God in these two arguments. In his first argument, Descartes states that God is a perfect being and that to exist than not to exist is the perfect thing and God must therefore exist. These were properly based on his early dreams and he set out to document them. The Descartes second argument is the most complex of the two. In his publications, he distinctively sets out two forms of reality. In believing that his thoughts were innate, Descartes thought that his perceptions and the way he sees God should not be objected. He points out that God is an infinite being and that reality come in the forms of infinite, modal and finite. Descartes sees God as existing in infinite reality. He further asserts that all substances by virtue of their existence posses’ finite formal reality and that all ideas that occur in any phase of thought posses modal form of reality. Ideas, as he puts that have a form of reality which, when they are put in relation to the objects that they represent must have an objective form of reality. He further points out that these objective realities are of three forms, which mirror the formal realities dependent on the amount of reality contained in the object that those ideas represent. Basing his ideas on objective reality, Descartes argues using his inner reasoning that God is an objective finite being. He further bases his ideas on inner logical thoughts to state that something can come from nothing. On this basis, Descartes arrived at two major principles: Effect must be preceded by a cause of a reality A cause in an idea must possess as much reality as there is an objective reality in a particular idea Descartes concluded that since we possess the idea of God, there must be a finite being that causes objective ideas, which in effect means that God exists. Criticisms One of the attacks on the philosophy of Descartes about God concerns the use of God in order to justify distinctions in his idea of perceptions. The objection comes from “Cartesian Circle” in which Descartes uses distinct perceptions to show God’s existence and that the existence of God arise due to his distinct perceptions (Prado, 2009). His ideas provide a kind of revolving ideas which tend to explain one another, forming what has been referred to as “Cartesian Circle”. Many critics have questioned Descartes use of the idea of God’s existence in order to prove his ideas of perceptions. Descartes in his thoughts, however, appear not to be foolish but truth. His ideas actually state in particular that it is not due to the existence of God that we will believe in clear and distinct perceptions. Clear and distinct perceptions are always true; in effect, we only need God so that we can erase any doubts that may arise. Based on Descartes principle, we use the idea of distinct and clear perceptions to prove the existence of God after which we do not have to go back to these ideas to be sure they are absolute truth. One other major criticism on Descartes postulations on existence of God is his ontological arguments. Many critics believe that Descartes ontological arguments are untrue to some extent possessing some ideas that raise room for doubts. Ontological arguments play a critical role in Cartesian rationalism and helps in creating certainty in arguments. Ontology date back to medieval philosophers like Plato and Socrates. In order for ontological arguments to be true, they must have a clear ending. However, the only entity that is his own explanation is God, so for any ontological explanation to be true, it must present God to be his own explanation. The idea of self-causing create an idea of self-explanatory by pointing to a fact that in order to explain a fact you need another and for the resulting fact, you need another, all in succession until you reach an end where you have a fact that explains itself. These self-causing arguments possess many problems. Descartes in his works, based on ontological arguments presents an easy way to criticize. Descartes claims for the existence of a kind of special reality, which he terms “object reality”, are ontologically untrue. According to Descartes, he assumes that, in fact, reality sort of come in a series of grades, which are loaded metaphysically, a notion that is arguable. Descartes major postulations are not true since none of us possess clear innate and distinct idea of God as being infinitely perfect. Descartes Meditation Meditations form the basis of modern philosophy among western scholars. Descartes postulations still raise heated arguments to date, his famous work occurs where he turns Aristotelian principles upside down. In breaking Aristotelian assertions, Descartes cites that knowledge comes from the senses, where he comes with a completely new concept about the mind. In his first meditation, Descartes clearly displays philosophical skepticism, (Descartes & Moriarty, 2008). In his first meditation, he starts by asking himself how he can be sure of anything, then he goes and gives a myriad of outlandish and inventive assertions why he had to develop mistrust on his senses. His ideas have sparked continuous debate in philosophical outlook. This controversy has led to greater studies, by philosophers; into the way, body and mind interact. In conclusion, Descartes was more of a rationalist than empiricists who included Aristotle and Locke. Descartes stated that the perceptions, which are distinct and clear, are the only means that the intellect can gain knowledge. He also points out the fact that senses are meant to guide us navigate the universe practically rather than give us some knowledge.However, as stated earlier above, Descartes assertions of God are insufficient in their explanations as shown by the ontological proofs. The most important aspects of Descartes publications are the Wax argument, his theory of ideas and the Cartesian circle, they form the basis of good philosophical discussions. References Descartes, R., & Moriarty, M. (2008). Meditations on first philosophy: with selections from the Objections and replies. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Prado, C. G. (2009). Starting with Descartes. London: Continuum. Read More