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This philosophy assignment addresses key concepts from Descartes and Hume. It begins by examining Descartes' proposal, influenced by his Scholastic education, and explores the role of skepticism in Cartesian philosophy. The assignment then delves into the 'evil genius' and its significance, De...Read More

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Philosophy 1
Chapter 9
Q1. What was Descartes’s proposal, and how did his Scholastic education influence it?
According to Descartes’ proposal, the world has undergone a significant change. It is
different than it used to be. There are many stages of this change, but the only permanent
constituent is the Laws established by God. The prevailing form has evolved slowly and
gradually. The proposal given by Descartes is the reaction of the scholastic education and it is
disheartening to him. Mainly, the reaction is in response to the typical Christian and scriptural
knowledge people have with regard to the creation of the world by God. The inference, however,
provides a reflection of the scholastic education, he had and it maintains his belief in God and the
Divinity.
Q3. How is skepticism important to Cartesian philosophy?
Skepticism is the keystone of the Cartesian philosophy. Rend Descartes insists on
doubting the beliefs one has so as to defeat the skepticism. He begins by questioning God, logic,
and everything in existence. He believes in personal existence and it is associated with a person’s

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thinking. This ideology gave birth to ‘I think, therefore I claim,’ and the rest of his philosophy is
based on this idea (Ariew, 2010).
Q4. What is the evil genius, and what is its significance to Cartesian genesis?
The evil genius is a belief of a bad influence and it exists in every religion, mythology,
and traditions. In general, it is a spirit or a figment of one’s consciousness that impacts and
influences him negatively and towards the bad. Descartes propounded the method of doubting in
his meditations. Further, it gives rise to skepticism. He takes his doubts to another level and even
considers the possibility of God being the ‘evil genius.’ He wonders whether he could express to
the world the reality he thinks exists (Stoner, 2018).
Q7. How did Descartes answer the materialists’ rejection of free will?
The materialists hold the view that there is nothing immaterial. However, Descartes chose
to differ has and he believes in free will. His dual philosophy is implemented to mind and other
areas. The will is a part of the immaterial dimension of man and thus it is free. Free will is a
choice for Descartes and he believes that it is up to man, whether he decides to do something and
do it or not. The will in its essence is free and cannot be restrained (Embry, 2016).
Q9. What is the “view from nowhere” and why is Susan Bordo troubled by its cultural
pervasiveness?
Susan responds to the mind and body dualism in the history of philosophy. It is her belief
that the mind is trapped inside the body (Nichter & Bordo, 1995). The ‘view from nowhere’ is
elucidated as the Cartesian method. The rational methods portrayed by Descartes change the
perceptions about the real world. It is natural for every human to try and control things as per his

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perception. The reason is troubling for Bordo because it permits the mind of any human to object
and doubt other’s perceptions and thus she views it as culturally pervasive.
Chapter 10
Q3. What is tabula rasa? What is its significance to Locke’s empiricism?
Tabula rasa is a Latin word that means blank slate. It refers to the time of birth that is
considered as a blank slate for every human. Locke’s empiricism states that every piece of
knowledge is the result of experience and nothing comes with the birth and no ideas are inbred.
So, the concept of Tabula rasa is the basis of Locke’s empiricism (ChungChungHo, 2011).
Q7. How does Hume’s bundle theory of the self affect his reasoning regarding personal
identity and immorality?
The concept of personal immortality was incomprehensible to Hume. He asserted that
each time a person views himself, his perceptions change and they cannot be resolute. He also
discusses afterlife and argues that any change in a thing (in this case death) changes its identity
completely and significantly (Buzaite, 2017).
Q8. How does Hume account for the external world?
According to David Hume, observation cannot be separated from what is used to observe
it-brain.

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Two frameworks of reality are proposed by Hume i.e. reality of the perceptions and memory and
reality of the mind. He asserts that reality is in our experiences and nothing certain is said about
the external world but that it is troublesome. Imagination is what accounts for the belief in the
external world. He believes that constancy can further create continuity. For example- knowing
the way to your home. Imaginations help in remembering the directions of the house, even
though it is not physically present (Costa, 1988).
Q9. Sketch Hume’s analysis of Cause and effect.
In his analysis of cause and effect, Hume put forth that when the theory is implemented,
then every event seems to be preset. Every idea differs from the other on the basis of past
apprehension. However, there is no relation between the events, but on the basis of similar cases
associations can be made (Russell, 1984). Thus, a cause cannot be proven. Human beings depend
on their experiences of the past, but it cannot be said for certain that they have anything to do
with the present or the future.
Q12. Why does Hume say “I am ready to throw all my books and papers into the fire, and
resolve never more to renounce the pleasures of life for the sake of reasoning and
philosophy”?
According to the readings of the chapter, I believe that Hume said “I am ready to throw
all my books and papers into the fire, and resolve never more to renounce the pleasures of life for
the sake of reasoning and philosophy” because he wants to convey that he is ready to give up on
all the knowledge and information that is shared in the books and papers and prefer to rely on his
idea of life. It means that he wants to lean on his interpretation rather than on bookish knowledge

Philosophy 5
and teachings from the paper. He will be able to generate and develop thoughts and ideas of his
own once he detaches the outside world and external influences. It provides the idea that he is
looking to clear his mind in order to breed new thoughts and depends on the understanding of his
own instead of relying on the knowledge that the books provide and wants us to believe.

Philosophy 6
References
Ariew, R. (2010). MIND-BODY INTERACTION IN CARTESIAN PHILOSOPHY: A REPLY
TO GARBER. The Southern Journal Of Philosophy, 21(S1), 33-37.
Buzaite, T. (2017). A bundle of perceptions: principles of association, identity, and self in
Hume. Primeiros Escritos, (8), 78.
ChungChungHo. (2011). The Problem of Skepticism in Locke, Berkeley, and Hume: English
Philosophers’ Progress in Empiricism. English & American Cultural Studies, 11(3), 179-
204.
Costa, M. (1988). Hume and Belief in the Existence of an External World. Philosophical
Studies, 32, 99-112.
Embry, B. (2016). Descartes on Free Will and Moral Possibility. Philosophy And
Phenomenological Research, 96(2), 380-398.

Philosophy 7
Nichter, M., & Bordo, S. (1995). Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the
Body. Contemporary Sociology, 24(1), 42.
Russell, P. (1984). Corrections Regarding "Hume's 'Two Definitions' of Cause and the Ontology
of 'Double Existence'". Hume Studies, 10(2), 165-166.
Stoner, S. (2018). Who Is Descartes’ Evil Genius?. Journal Of Early Modern Studies, 7(2), 9-29.