PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY

PHIL 232, TTh 9am-10am in AUD A Angell Hall
The University of Michigan
Fall 2004

Name__________________________

 

Reading Questions: Nagel, Ch. 2,4 and Descartes’ Meditations I and II

Answer the following questions in a sentence or two.

  1. As Nagel characterizes them, what is the difference between solipsism and skepticism?

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  2. What does Descartes discover in "Meditation I" about virtually everything he believes?

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  3. In "Meditation II" Descartes claims that even if there is a supremely powerful deceiver who tricks him about everything it can, one thing Descartes cannot be deceived about is his own existence. Why can he be sure that his existence is not a deception?

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  4. What kind of thing does Descartes determine he is in essence?

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  5. What are the different views about how the mind and body are related that Nagel mentions?