The Cartesian Circle: Unraveling a Foundationalist Paradox

The Cartesian Circle: Unraveling a Foundationalist Paradox
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The Cartesian Circle: Unraveling a Foundationalist Paradox
The Cartesian Circle is a philosophical problem within Rene Descartes' foundationalist perspective. Foundationalism is a knowing theory that holds that all justified views are ultimately founded on self-evident, undeniable core beliefs. Descartes applies the process of doubt, which entails questioning everything to construct a foundation of specific knowledge. This essay seeks to explain the Cartesian Circle to the ordinary person while emphasizing its problematic nature. Experts can negotiate this conundrum and understand its complexities by diving into essential concepts such as clear and distinct perception, the cogito, and the existence of God.
The Method of Doubt
Descartes starts his philosophy skeptically, claiming people’s senses can fool them. Descartes doubts sensory perceptions to find a knowing basis that questions cannot shake (Wood, 2018). Consider a desert mirage: individuals’ visions mislead them when they perceive a shimmering paradise. Descartes asks if people’s senses can sometimes deceive them, how can they be sure about anything they perceive?
Descartes knew that sensory data alone was untrustworthy; thus, he began systematic doubt, questioning every belief he held to build a foundation of confidence that could withstand any doubt. Descartes sought absolute knowledge by doubting everything, and this innovative method allowed him to examine reality without preconceptions (Wood, 2018). Descartes realized that even fundamental beliefs might be questioned. He considered the possibility that a powerful demon was altering his thoughts and perceptions to make them untrustworthy. Descartes entertained even the most suspicious hypotheses, demonstrating his devotion to deep doubt.
Cogito, Ergo Sum
The cogito helps Descartes achieve indubitable knowledge. Even if he doubts everything, including his senses, thoughts, and beliefs, there must be a thinking entity- the "I" or self- that doubts (Angelos, 2020). Descartes' core belief is "Cogito, ergo sum," the famous aphorism stating an individual’s existence. Descartes imagines doubting his senses; he challenges his feelings since he knows they may lie. This imagination makes him wonder if his entire sensory experience is a demon's trick.
Descartes’s skepticism extends to his thoughts and beliefs as he doubts. He questions whether his views are trustworthy or deceitful. Descartes wants to eliminate all unproven assumptions (Angelos, 2020). Descartes realizes that doubting requires a thinking entity in this uncertain environment; he thinks, doubts, and exists. "Cogito, ergo sum"- "I think, therefore I am"- captures Descartes' discovery. Descartes' certainty, his anchor in doubt, is the cogito- it is self-evident and self-contradictory to doubt it. He thought of self-survives even if all other beliefs were disproven; contesting requires an "I" or self.
Descartes' cogito proves the presence of a thinking, introspective subject- it is independent of external senses and ideas. Descartes begins his knowledge reconstruction with it. The cogito proves the s...