- 1. René Descartes' 'Discourse on Method,' published in 1637, is a foundational text in modern philosophy that outlines Descartes' approach to knowledge and inquiry. The work is divided into six parts, where Descartes articulates his method of systematic doubt and analytical reasoning, emphasizing the need to question and dissect every belief until reaching indubitable truths. He famously summarizes his philosophical stance with the phrase 'Cogito, ergo sum' (I think, therefore I am), which serves as the bedrock of his epistemology, asserting that the act of thinking is proof of one's existence. The 'Discourse' also addresses the relationship between the mind and the body, laying groundwork for Cartesian dualism, and explores the implications of methodical reasoning in the acquisition of scientific knowledge. By advocating for a rational, structured approach to knowledge that prioritizes clear and distinct ideas, Descartes significantly influenced both modern philosophy and the development of the scientific method, marking a shift from scholasticism to a new era of inquiry based on reason and observation.
What is the main purpose of Descartes' 'Discourse on Method'?
A) To advocate for religious beliefs
B) To critique existing philosophical theories
C) To promote absolute doubt
D) To establish a new scientific method
- 2. In what language was the 'Discourse on Method' originally written?
A) Spanish
B) French
C) English
D) Latin
- 3. In which year was the 'Discourse on Method' published?
A) 1670
B) 1650
C) 1637
D) 1620
- 4. What type of approach does Descartes advocate for in science?
A) Systematic and methodical
B) Casual and intuitive
C) Speculative and hypothetical
D) Traditional and customary
- 5. What is the significance of 'Cogito, ergo sum' in Descartes' philosophy?
A) It explains sensory perception.
B) It advocates for skepticism.
C) It addresses moral philosophy.
D) It establishes the certainty of existence.
- 6. Which of the following best describes Descartes' view on the mind-body relationship?
A) Dualism
B) Empiricism
C) Materialism
D) Idealism
- 7. What does Descartes argue is the essence of human being?
A) Feeling
B) Desiring
C) Thinking
D) Acting
- 8. What does Descartes mean by 'methodical doubt'?
A) A casual skepticism towards old ideas.
B) A philosophical trend in the Middle Ages.
C) An emotional response to uncertainty.
D) A systematic process of doubting all beliefs.
- 9. How does Descartes define a ‘clear’ idea?
A) One that is present and accessible to the attentive mind.
B) One that is universally accepted.
C) One that is practical and useful.
D) One that is intuitive and instinctive.
- 10. What does Descartes identify as the first truth?
A) The world exists
B) The senses are reliable
C) God is good
D) I think, therefore I am
- 11. What type of reasoning does Descartes champion in his method?
A) Anecdotal reasoning
B) Analogical reasoning
C) Deductive reasoning
D) Intuitive reasoning
- 12. Descartes is often credited with the development of which branch of mathematics?
A) Topology
B) Statistics
C) Analytic geometry
D) Calculus
- 13. Which philosophical tradition does Descartes belong to?
A) Empiricism
B) Rationalism
C) Existentialism
D) Pragmatism
- 14. Which work is often linked with Descartes' 'Discourse on Method'?
A) Meditations on First Philosophy
B) The Republic
C) Leviathan
D) Nicomachean Ethics
- 15. What is Descartes' stance on the existence of God?
A) He argues for God's existence through reason.
B) He remains ambivalent.
C) He denies God's existence.
D) He argues solely from faith.
- 16. What famous principle does Descartes establish in his work?
A) Will to power
B) Cogito, ergo sum
C) Tabula rasa
D) Survival of the fittest
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