Philosophy Essay: Descartes' Clear and Distinct Perceptions Analysis

This essay provides an analysis of Descartes' concept of clear and distinct perceptions, focusing on his arguments for the existence of God and responses to skeptical arguments. The essay explores the roles of these perceptions, such as their function in establishing the certainty of knowledge and providing a foundation for rational thought. It examines Descartes' strategy of distinct and real perceptions, including his views on the mind-body dualism, and provides an opinion on the effectiveness of his approach. The essay draws on Descartes' third meditation and other philosophical texts, providing a comprehensive overview of Descartes' philosophical ideas on perception, knowledge, and reality. The conclusion summarizes the key points and highlights the significance of Descartes' ideas in the history of philosophy.

Philosophy (Mind, Ethics and
Freedom)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
ESSAY ............................................................................................................................................1
Clear and distinctly perceive........................................................................................................1
Roles of clear and distinct perceptive .........................................................................................1
Opinion on Descartes strategy of distinct and real perceptions ..................................................2
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
In the third meditation Descartes provides the discussion and philosophical evidences for
the existence of god. To address the concept sceptical arguments are also addressed via idea of
distinct and clear perceptions (Descartes, 2017). The essay will analyse the different perspectives
and strategies of Descartes on these perceptions.
ESSAY
Clear and distinctly perceive
The idea of 'clear and distinct perceptions' used by Descartes are known as the
perceptions for describing the existence of various ideas and to provide sceptical argument
against self evil demons. These perceptions are self evident and sufficient enough in terms of
relevancy that when they are kept in mind there is no possibility to doubt them logically. As per
the view of Descartes all knowledge originates from these perceptions. The most common
example of such perceptions is ''I exist'' and ''A=A'' (Eksen, 2019). The primary belief originating
through these perceptions is that one cannot judge or assume any proposition as true until and
unless it can be perceived or identified distinctly and with clarity.
In the third meditation it is also stated that judgement and faculty of understanding are
different. The understanding is defined as mind perception or the realm of ideas while judgement
also include will assent to existing concepts of the mind (Allen- Hermanson, 2018). According to
Descartes another example which can be used to understand the concept is that since mind
cannot perceive himself as having distinct and real parts while body can be considered to have
parts (Christofidou, 2018). Thus, mind is invisible and body is visible but both being able to
connect with each other. It concludes both are real and have distinct existence.
Roles of clear and distinct perceptive
The perceptive of distinct and clear existence or identity recognises that proposition
cannot be doubted as there is lack of reasonable grounds. Certain objects or the ideas which are
clear and distinctive are considered as fully indubitable and thus provides perfect knowledge
prior to the idea of god (Stoner, 2018). The concept plays a significant role in giving suitable
explanation that natural light reveals cogito. In most of the instances the distinctness and clarity
is used as the truth or provisional rule which is used as underwritten general rule for exploring
and discovering truth. By using reasoning and premises based upon discussed perceptions
rational progress can be achieved.
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However, with this approach indirect doubt remains the continuous problem and there is
need to find the suitable solution for that (Allen- Hermanson, 2018). The perception is also used
to develop premise to conclusion statement that there is existence of all perfect god. In addition
to this the rule is also used to derive general veracity of propositions from the all perfect god
exists. It also helped Descartes to understand and broader the concept by concept of viciously
circularity. In the third meditation general veracity is presupposed to provide proofs or evidences
for the god.
Opinion on Descartes strategy of distinct and real perceptions
Through the argument of distinct and clear perceptions Descartes emphasis on distinct
identity of brain the concept is based upon conclusion that if two objects can exist independently
from each other than they are separate and distinct. However, the idea of clear perceptions were
also supported and challenged as well by arguments of simplicity and arguments (Alanen,
2016). In my opinion it is the argument of simplicity which forced Descartes to state that
thinking process or the activity of mind continues even during sleep or foetal development.
However, in my opinion views proposed by Descartes are successful until Cartesian
presuppositions are taken into account. I think that in his considerations interaction of mind and
body has been neglected. Since Descartes did not give any description that if mind and body are
distinct then how there interaction is possible. The justification provided by Descartes lacks the
idea of remoteness among objects (McBrayer, 2018). Thus, in my opinion the idea proposed by
him is based upon physical aspect only integrating both science and spirituality (church)
influencing corporeal body. The same aspect is reflected in the conclusive part of the real and
distinct perception.
CONCLUSION
From the Descartes idea of god it can be perceived that idea of existence of god is
considered as objective reality. It can also be concluded that ideas are result of other ideas and
there must be a specific cause.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alanen, L., 2016. Self-Awareness and Cognitive Agency in Descartes's
Meditations. Philosophical Topics. pp.3-26.
Allen-Hermanson, S., 2018. Animal Consciousness (Routledge handbook of consciousness ch.
29).
Christofidou, A., 2018. DESCARTES'DUALISM VERSUS BEHAVIOURISM. Behavior and
Philosophy (Online). 46. pp.63-99.
Descartes, R., 2017. Descartes: Meditations on first philosophy: With selections from the
objections and replies. Cambridge University Press.
Eksen, K., 2019. Descartes and Spiritual Exercises: A Critique of Pierre Hadot's Historical
Narrative. Philosophy Today.
McBrayer, L., 2018. Cartesian Aseity in the Third Meditation. Journal of Analytic
Theology. 6(1). pp.217-233.
Stoner, S.A., 2018. Who Is Descartes’ Evil Genius?. Journal of Early Modern Studies. 7(2).
pp.9-29.
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