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.
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